[mouse] n, pl mice [ME, fr. OE mus; akin to OHG mus mouse, L mus, Gk mys mouse, muscle] (bef. 12c) 1: any of numerous small rodents (as of the genus Mus) with pointed snout, rather small ears, elongated body, and slender tail
2: a timid person
3: a dark-colored swelling caused by a blow; specif: black eye
4: a small mobile manual device that controls movement of the cursor on a computer display
[2]mouse vb moused ; mous.ing vi (13c) 1: to hunt for mice
2: to search or move stealthily or slowly ~ vt 1 obs a: bite, gnaw b: to toy with roughly
2: to search for carefully--usu. used with out