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.
Phrases and idioms:
mouse-coloured
1. dark-grey with a yellow tinge.
2 nondescript light brown. mouse deer a chevrotain. mouse hare a pika.
Derivatives:
mouselike adj. & adv. mouser n.
Etymology: OE mus, pl. mys f. Gmc