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, mouz. To catch mice.
MOUSE, 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.