mouse
mouse • n. / mous/ (pl. mice / mīs/ ) 1. a small rodent (family Muridae) that typically has a pointed snout, relatively large ears and eyes, and a long tail. Certain species may belong to the families Heteromyidae, Zapodidae, and Muscardinidae. ∎ (in general use) any similar small mammal, such as a shrew or vole. ∎ a shy, timid, and quiet person. 2. (pl. usu. mouses ) Comput. a small hand-held device that is dragged across a flat surface to move the cursor on a computer screen, typically having buttons that are pressed to control computer functions. 3. inf. a lump or bruise, esp. one on or near the eye.• v. / mouz/ [intr.] 1. (of a cat or an owl) hunt for or catch mice. ∎ prowl around as if searching. 2. Comput., inf. use a mouse to move a cursor on a computer screen: mouse your way over to the window and click on it.ORIGIN: Old English mūs, (plural) m̄s; related to German Maus, Latin and Greek mus.
