mouse

A "mouse" can refer to two things that most people know very well. First, it is the small furry animal with whiskers and a long tail that may run through fields, barns, or even homes. Second, in the digital world, it is the small handheld device you move to control the pointer on a computer screen. It lets you click, scroll, and open things on the screen.

These two meanings may seem very different, but they both suggest something small and quick. The animal runs from place to place, and the device helps your hand move smoothly across the screen. You might see a house mouse in the kitchen, then pick up your computer mouse to search for a trap. In everyday English, these are by far the most common uses of the word.

The word "mouse" has two main meanings that seem far apart but are linked by the idea of something small and quick. The oldest and most basic meaning is the animal: a small rodent with a pointed face, whiskers, and a long tail. These animals live in many parts of the world. People may talk about them as wild animals, pets, lab animals, or pests in the home. You might say, "A mouse ran across the floor," or "The cat is watching a mouse." The usual plural is "mice."

In modern life, "mouse" also means the handheld input device used with a computer. A computer mouse helps you move the pointer, click on items, drag things, and work with programs. The name likely came from its small shape and, in older models, the cord that looked a bit like a tail. For the device, many people also use the plural "mice," though "mouses" is sometimes used in technical settings when people want to be extra clear.

Beyond these literal meanings, "mouse" can also appear in a few extended uses. A very quiet, shy person may sometimes be compared to one, and English has the phrase "as quiet as a mouse" for someone who makes almost no sound. As a verb, "to mouse" can mean to hunt for mice or to move around quietly and carefully. So depending on the context, the word may point to a small animal, a computer device, a timid person, or a quiet kind of movement.