creeping
adjective
[ ˈkriːpɪŋ ]
• (of a plant) growing along the ground or other surface by means of extending stems or branches.
• "creeping ivy can do damage to the wall surface"
• (of a negative characteristic or fact) occurring or developing gradually and almost imperceptibly.
• "a creeping sense of dread"
creep
verb
• move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed.
• "he crept downstairs, hardly making any noise"
Similar:
crawl,
move on all fours,
move on hands and knees,
pull oneself,
inch,
edge,
slither,
slide,
squirm,
wriggle,
writhe,
worm,
worm one's way,
insinuate oneself,
sneak,
steal,
slip,
slink,
sidle,
skulk,
pad,
prowl,
tiptoe,
pussyfoot,
soft-shoe,
tread warily,
move stealthily,
move furtively,
move unnoticed,
walk quietly,
• (of a plant) grow along the ground or other surface by means of extending stems or branches.
• "thorny roses crept up the dull gray walls"
• (of a plastic solid) undergo gradual deformation under stress.
Origin:
Old English crēopan ‘move with the body close to the ground’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kruipen . Sense 1 of the verb dates from Middle English.
