I. ˈkrēp intransitive verb
( crept ˈkrept ; creep·ing )
Etymology: Middle English crepen, from Old English crēopan; akin to Old Norse krjūpa to creep
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : to move along with the body prone and close to the ground
b. : to move slowly on hands and knees
2.
a. : to go very slowly
the hours crept by
b. : to go timidly or cautiously so as to escape notice
she crept away from the festive scene
c. : to enter or advance gradually so as to be almost unnoticed
age creep s up on us
a note of irritation crept into her voice
3. : to have the sensation of being covered with creeping things
the thought made his flesh creep
4. of a plant : to spread or grow over a surface rooting at intervals or clinging with tendrils, stems, or aerial roots
5.
a. : to slip or gradually shift position
b. : to change shape permanently from prolonged stress or exposure to high temperatures
II. noun
Date: 1818
1. : a movement of or like creeping
traffic moving at a creep
2. : a distressing sensation like that caused by the creeping of insects over one's flesh ; especially : a feeling of apprehension or horror — usually used in plural with the
that gives me the creeps
3. : a feed trough accessible only by young animals and used especially to supply special or supplementary feed — called also creep feeder
4. : the slow change of dimensions of an object from prolonged exposure to high temperature or stress
5. : an unpleasant or obnoxious person
6. : a slow but persistent increase or elevation
this political inertia…makes budget creep inevitable — Wall Street Journal