verb / noun
creep
KREEP/kriːp/
Slow gradual movement or change.
The young man creeps past the sleeping woman on careful tiptoe.
Etymology
Old English creopan described moving close to the ground like a reptile or insect. That bodily movement broadened to moving slowly or timidly, and to moving secretly to avoid detection.
In context
creep out of my sight upon your belly
More examples
- Our monthly expenses have crept up over the past year.
- Scope creep adds new tasks to our small project.
- Metal parts can slowly deform through creep under a constant load.
Forms
creep · creeps · crept · creeping