mouse

MOUSE, n. plu.mice. [L. mus; The L. mus forms muris in the genitive, and the root is not obvious.]

1. A small animal of the genus Mus, inhabiting houses. The name is also applied to many other species of the genus, as the field mouse, meadow mouse, rock mouse, &c.

2. Among seamen, a knob formed on a rope by spun yarn or parceling.

MOUSE, v.i.. mouz. To catch mice.

MOUSE, v.t. mouz. To tear, as a cat devours a mouse.

To mouse a hook, with seamen, is to fasten a small line across the upper part to prevent unhooking.