Standing waters are most unwholesome, . . . full of
mites, creepers; slimy, muddy, unclean. --Burton.
2. (Bot.) A plant that clings by rootlets, or by tendrils, to
the ground, or to trees, etc.; as, the Virginia creeper
(Ampelopsis quinquefolia).
3. (Zo["o]l.) A small bird of the genus {Certhia}, allied to
the wrens. The brown or common European creeper is {C.
familiaris}, a variety of which (var. Americana) inhabits
America; -- called also {tree creeper} and {creeptree}.
The American black and white creeper is {Mniotilta varia}.
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.
5. pl. A spurlike device strapped to the boot, which enables
one to climb a tree or pole; -- called often {telegraph
creepers}.
6. A small, low iron, or dog, between the andirons.
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.
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.
9. pl. (Arch.) Crockets. See {Crocket}.