I. ˈkrēk, ˈkrik — ˈkrik is less frequent in the South than in the rest of the US and less frequent in urban than in rural areas noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English creke, crike, from Old Norse -kriki bend, concavity; akin to Old Norse krīkr bend, bay, krōkr hook — more at crook
1.
a. chiefly Britain : a small inlet or bay narrower and extending farther into the land than a cove : a narrow recess in the shore of the sea, a river, or a lake
each creek and cavern of the dangerous shore — William Cowper
— used in the United States only in names given during the earliest period of English colonization
b. : a saltwater estuary of a small river or stream emptying on a low coast or into the lower reaches of a wide river
2. : a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river — compare branch , brook , run
3. archaic : a narrow commonly winding strip of comparatively flat land between hills or mountains
4. dialect chiefly Britain : a narrow or winding passage : a concealed or secret corner
each creek and cranny of his chamber — Thomas Gray
•
- up the creek
II. ˈkrēk noun
( plural creek or creeks )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: probably so called from the numerous streams in the territory of the Creek Confederacy
1.
a. : creek confederacy
b. : a member of any of the peoples of the Creek Confederacy
2. : muskogee 2