MICE Meaning and
Definition
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Mice are small, typically nocturnal rodents belonging to the scientific family Muridae and subfamily Murinae. They are characterized by their small size and rounded bodies, possessing a pointed snout, round ears, and a long, hairless tail. Mice have a wide distribution, being found worldwide in almost every habitat, including both natural and man-made environments.
These small mammals are known for their rapid reproductive rate, often producing litters multiple times within a year. Mice are usually herbivorous, but some species are omnivorous, feeding on both plants and smaller animals. Their diet can consist of seeds, fruits, grains, and insects. Due to their small size, mice often serve as prey for a variety of predators, including birds of prey, snakes, and larger mammals.
In addition to their natural habitats, mice have become commensal with humans, often dwelling in homes, warehouses, and other structures. They are notorious pests due to their ability to contaminate food, damage structures, and transmit diseases. As a result, various methods and techniques have been developed to control mouse populations, including traps, baits, and repellents.
Mice have also played a significant role in scientific research and medical studies due to their close genetic and physiological resemblance to humans. Their high reproduction rate and relatively short lifespan make them an ideal model organism for studying genetics, disease, behavior, and pharmaceutical testing.
Overall, mice are small, adaptable rodents that inhabit diverse environments and have significant impacts both as pests and as model organisms in scientific research.
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• A well-known little animal that infests houses, granaries, &c.
• To watch for and catch mice, as a cat.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for MICE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MICE
Etymology of MICE
The word "mice" is derived from the Middle English word "mous" or "muis" which ultimately comes from the Old English word "mus". This Old English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "mus", and further back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*muhs" which means "mouse".
Idioms with the word MICE
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when the cat’s away the mice will play
The idiom "when the cat's away the mice will play" means that when a person who is in authority or responsible for the behavior of others is not present, those under their control will often indulge in activities that are normally restricted or forbidden.
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keep no more cats than can catch mice
The idiom "keep no more cats than can catch mice" means to only have as many resources or individuals as necessary or useful for a particular task or purpose. It emphasizes the importance of efficiency, avoiding unnecessary excess, and maximizing productivity. Just as having more cats than needed to catch mice would be inefficient and wasteful, this expression advises against maintaining surplus or redundant elements in any given situation.
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the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray
The idiom "the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray" means that even well-thought-out or carefully constructed plans can still go wrong or fail unexpectedly. It suggests that despite our intentions and efforts, unforeseen circumstances can derail our plans and prevent them from achieving the desired outcome.
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the best-laid plans of mice and men
The idiom "the best-laid plans of mice and men" is used to convey the notion that despite having carefully thought out and well-constructed plans, they are often disrupted or fail due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond one's control. It highlights the reality that even with diligent preparation, things may not always go as intended.
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a cat in gloves catches no mice
The idiom "a cat in gloves catches no mice" means that when someone is overly cautious or hesitant, they will not be able to achieve their goals or be successful. It suggests that being too careful and reserved can prevent one from taking action or seizing opportunities.
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When the cat's away, the mice will play
The idiom "When the cat's away, the mice will play" means that when those in authority or supervision are absent or not present, people will often take advantage of the situation and behave freely or do as they please without fear of being caught or punished.
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the best-laid schemes of mice and men
The idiom "the best-laid schemes of mice and men" refers to carefully thought-out plans and intentions that often go awry or fail due to unforeseen circumstances or external factors. It conveys the idea that even the most well-planned and thought-through intentions can be disrupted or rendered futile, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life. This idiom is derived from the famous line in Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse": "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley" (The best-laid schemes of mice and men / Often go awry).
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best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray
The idiom "best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray" means that even the most carefully thought out or meticulously prepared plans can sometimes fail or not turn out as expected. It highlights the unpredictability and imperfections of life, indicating that despite our efforts to plan and control outcomes, external factors or unforeseen circumstances can disrupt or thwart our intentions.
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while the cat's away, the mice will play
The idiom "while the cat's away, the mice will play" is used to describe the behavior of people who take advantage of a situation when someone in authority or responsibility is gone or not present. It implies that people tend to feel more liberated to do as they please and possibly engage in mischief when there is no immediate supervision or control.
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be as poor as church mice
The idiom "be as poor as church mice" refers to being very poor or having little to no money. It suggests a level of poverty comparable to that of mice living in a church, which traditionally may not have access to plentiful food or resources.
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bestlaid plans of mice and men oft go astray
The idiom "best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray" means that even the most carefully thought-out or well-intentioned plans can still go wrong or be disrupted. It is derived from a line in Robert Burns' famous poem "To a Mouse" (1786), which states, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley" (often go awry). This idiom highlights the unpredictable nature of life and the reality that unforeseen obstacles or circumstances can interfere with one's plans, regardless of how meticulously they were made.
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cat in gloves catches no mice
The idiom "cat in gloves catches no mice" means that being overly cautious or hesitant in taking action often leads to missed opportunities or the inability to achieve one's goals. It suggests that being too careful or reserved can hinder progress or success.
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bestlaid plans of mice and men oft(en) go astray,
Conjugate verb Mice
CONDITIONAL
I
would mouse
we
would mouse
you
would mouse
he/she/it
would mouse
they
would mouse
FUTURE
I
will mouse
we
will mouse
you
will mouse
he/she/it
will mouse
they
will mouse
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have moused
we
will have moused
you
will have moused
he/she/it
will have moused
they
will have moused
PAST
I
moused
we
moused
you
moused
he/she/it
moused
they
moused
PAST PERFECT
I
had moused
we
had moused
you
had moused
he/she/it
had moused
they
had moused
PRESENT
I
mouse
we
mouse
you
mouse
he/she/it
mouses
they
mouse
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have moused
we
have moused
you
have moused
he/she/it
has moused
they
have moused
I
am mousing
we
are mousing
you
are mousing
he/she/it
is mousing
they
are mousing
I
was mousing
we
were mousing
you
were mousing
he/she/it
was mousing
they
were mousing
I
will be mousing
we
will be mousing
you
will be mousing
he/she/it
will be mousing
they
will be mousing
I
have been mousing
we
have been mousing
you
have been mousing
he/she/it
has been mousing
they
have been mousing
I
had been mousing
we
had been mousing
you
had been mousing
he/she/it
had been mousing
they
had been mousing
I
will have been mousing
we
will have been mousing
you
will have been mousing
he/she/it
will have been mousing
they
will have been mousing
I
would have moused
we
would have moused
you
would have moused
he/she/it
would have moused
they
would have moused
I
would be mousing
we
would be mousing
you
would be mousing
he/she/it
would be mousing
they
would be mousing
I
would have been mousing
we
would have been mousing
you
would have been mousing
he/she/it
would have been mousing
they
would have been mousing
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