mouse

Everyday

1. A mouse is a very small animal with a long thin tail, round ears and sharp teeth. tree →
2. A computer mouse is a small tool you move by hand to point and click on a screen. tree →
3. A shy, quiet person is sometimes called a mouse. tree →

In the lessons

the third jumper in a jumping contest, compared to the frog; or animals counted; in stories mice are small, quick and clever; in science, a rodent and a mammal; phrases «as quiet as a mouse», «cat and mouse»

Examples

• The mouse jumped 12 inches less than the frog. tree →
• How far did the mouse jump? tree →
• There are 6 mice in the barn. tree →
• How much farther did the grasshopper jump than the mouse? tree →
• The mouse ate some cheese. tree →
• Click the mouse to open the file. tree →
• She was as quiet as a mouse. tree →
• Our cat chased a mouse into the garden. tree →
• A mouse is a mammal. tree →
• The story is about a brave little mouse. tree →
• "Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse. tree →

Note

A name in a comparison chain. «less than the frog» takes away from the frog's jump. Trap: the plural is «mice». Mice are rodents, like rats but smaller. Wild mice can carry germs, so wash your hands if you touch where they have been.

In Jewish tradition

It is listed among the unclean swarming creatures that Israelites may not eat or touch when dead. Gold mice were also made by the Philistines as an offering with the ark.

Interpretation. Tradition sees the unclean animals as a lesson in discipline and holiness. The dietary laws are called kashrut. Isaiah condemns people who eat mice and swine's flesh, and the Philistines' golden mice show they believed mice were part of their plague.

Examples

• And these are they which are unclean unto you among the swarming things that swarm upon the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard after its kinds, (Torah LEV.11.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they put the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods. (Prophets 1SA.6.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• They that sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go unto the gardens, behind one in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the detestable thing, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. (Prophets ISA.66.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A name in a comparison chain. «less than the frog» takes away from the frog's jump. Trap: the plural is «mice». Mice are rodents, like rats but smaller. Wild mice can carry germs, so wash your hands if you touch where they have been.