any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
"The old house was infested with mice that scurried across the ceiling, their long, thin tails twitching nervously as they searched for food."
person who is quiet or timid
"Even though she was a mouse during her first day at work, she finally found her voice when it came time to give the presentation."
a hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad; on the bottom of the device is a ball that rolls on the surface of the pad
"a mouse takes much more room than a trackball"
Any small rodent of the genus Mus.
"The cat pounced on the mouse that had scurried into the kitchen corner."
In plain English: A mouse is a small, furry animal with a long tail that lives in homes and farms.
"I accidentally clicked the wrong icon with my mouse pointer while working on my computer."
Usage: Use "mouse" to refer to the small rodent with pointed ears and a long tail, distinct from the computer peripheral which is also called a mouse. Do not use it for larger rodents like rats or other animals unless specifically referring to that species.
manipulate the mouse of a computer
"I couldn't reach my favorite website because I accidentally knocked over my coffee cup and spilled it on the mouse, making it impossible to click anything."
To move cautiously or furtively, in the manner of a mouse (the rodent) (frequently used in the phrasal verb to mouse around).
"After sneaking into his parents' bedroom late at night, he spent an hour mousing around under their bed looking for hidden candy."
In plain English: To mouse means to move very quietly and carefully so you don't get noticed.
"She decided to mouse over the suspicious link without clicking it."
Usage: Use "mouse" as a verb to describe moving quietly and stealthily, often seen in the phrase "mouse around." It implies avoiding detection by acting with the caution characteristic of the animal.
The word "mouse" comes from the Old English mūs, which is related to similar words in other Germanic languages like Dutch and German. Its meaning has remained unchanged since it was first used to describe the small rodent.