crawl

crawl

crawl¹ [krôl]

vi.

[ME craulen < ON krafla < Gmc base * krab-, *kreb-, to scratch (> Ger krabbeln): for IE base see CRAB¹]

1. to move slowly by dragging the body along the ground, as a worm

2. to go on hands and knees; creep

3. to move or go slowly or feebly

4. to move or act in an abjectly servile manner

5. to swarm or teem (with crawling things)

n.

1. the act of crawling; slow movement

2. a swimming stroke in which one lies prone, with the face in the water except when turned briefly sideward for breathing, and uses alternate overarm strokes and a flutter kick

3. a bulletin, explanation, or credits run up or across a TV screen

4. [Brit. Slang] PUB-CRAWL

——————

make someone's flesh crawl or make someone's skin crawl

to give someone a feeling of fear or repugnance, as if insects were crawling on his or her skin

crawler

n.

SYN.- CRAWL¹, in its strict usage, suggests movement by dragging the prone body along the ground [a snake crawls] and, figuratively, connotes abjectness or servility; CREEP suggests movement, often furtive, on all fours [a baby creeps] and, figuratively, connotes slow, stealthy, or insinuating progress

crawl² [krôl]

n.

[WIndDu kraal < Sp corral: see CORRAL]

an enclosure in shallow water for confining fish, turtles, etc.