n. & v.
n. (pl. mice) 1 a any of various small rodents of the family Muridae, esp. of the genus Mus. b any of several similar rodents such as a small shrew or vole. 2 a timid or feeble person. 3 Computing a small hand-held device which controls the cursor on a VDU screen. 4 sl. a black eye.
v.intr. also 1 (esp. of a cat, owl, etc.) hunt for or catch mice. 2 (foll. by about) search industriously; prowl about as if searching. mouse-coloured 1 dark-grey with a yellow tinge. 2 nondescript light brown. mouse deer a chevrotain. mouse hare a pika. mouselike adj. & adv. mouser n.
[ OE mus, pl. mys f. Gmc ]