creeper

n. 1. One who, or that which, creeps; any creeping thing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Standing waters are most unwholesome, . . . full of mites, creepers; slimy, muddy, unclean. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A plant that clings by rootlets, or by tendrils, to the ground, or to trees, etc.; as, the Virginia creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) A small bird of the genus Certhia, allied to the wrens. The brown or common European creeper is Certhia familiaris, a variety of which (var. Americana) inhabits America; -- called also tree creeper and creeptree. The American black and white creeper is Mniotilta varia. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A kind of patten mounted on short pieces of iron instead of rings; also, a fixture with iron points worn on a shoe to prevent one from slipping. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. A spurlike device strapped to the boot, which enables one to climb a tree or pole; -- called often telegraph creepers. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A small, low iron, or dog, between the andirons. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. pl. An instrument with iron hooks or claws for dragging at the bottom of a well, or any other body of water, and bringing up what may lie there. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Any device for causing material to move steadily from one part of a machine to another, as an apron in a carding machine, or an inner spiral in a grain screen. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. pl. (Arch.) Crockets. See Crocket. [ 1913 Webster ]