mice - Master This Word
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mice Word Meanings
- a small rodent
- a device used to control a computer cursor
- to move stealthily or quietly
mice Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
mice Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/maʊs/
US
/maʊs/
mice Word Etymology
mouse = 'mūs' (Proto-Germanic) → Old English 'mūs' → Middle English 'mouse' → English. Visualize a small, timid animal scurrying across the ground, evoking images of stealthy movements.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grip the mouse and nudge it across the desk, watching the cursor answer every tiny move. I pause, adjust my grip, and keep my focus, feeling control tighten and loosen as I steer. A small change in speed makes the line on the screen track my intent. Placing my hand in a steady position, the act of moving becomes a habit I trust for wider tasks.
Real Context
Pronounced like mūs in old Germanic roots, the word mouse evokes a tiny, timid animal scurrying across the ground. In modern English, it names both a small rodent and a common computer input device, whose smooth motion can mirror a creature's quick, careful scuttling. The verb sense, to move stealthily or quietly, extends the idea of unobtrusive movement to people in everyday speech. Learners should note that mouse can refer to three distinct ideas, with articles and plurals following standard English rules: a mouse, mice; a computer mouse; to mouse about.
Usage Reminders
- - Remember the three senses: animal, computer device, and the verb meaning to move quietly.
- - Learn the irregular plural: mouse -> mice.
- - Use computer mouse with phrases like computer mouse, mouse pad.
- - Differentiate pronunciation only slightly; spelling reveals the sense.
- - Use context cues to choose between animal, device, or action.
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking 'mouse' always means the animal; context changes meaning.
- Assuming 'mouse' only refers to the computer device in all tech contexts.
- Forgetting the irregular plural mice.
- Using 'mouse' as a verb only rarely; the phrase 'to mouse around' is less common than 'to move like a mouse.'
- Confusing 'mouse' with 'mouses' as the correct plural.
Thinking Differences
English often uses a single word with three related but distinct senses; learners must rely on context, word order, and collocations to disambiguate. Common mistakes include assuming mouse always means the animal and overgeneralizing the device sense in non-technical texts.
Learning Tips
- Practice all three senses in short, context-rich sentences.
- Memorize the irregular plural: mouse -> mice.
- Use 'computer mouse' and 'mouse pad' to fix device sense.
- Recognize collocations like 'move like a mouse' to express stealth.
- Note capitalization: proper noun usage rarely applies to the device.
- Experiment with phrases: 'the mouse', 'a mouse', 'mice' in different contexts.
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