creep-holen.
/ˈkriːphəʊl/ A hole by which one creeps in or out; ‘a hole into which any animal may creep to escape danger’ (Johnson). Also figurative (cf. loophole n.1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [noun] > a place of refuge
havenc1225
infleeinga1300
leinda1300
harbourc1300
reseta1325
harbouryc1325
refutec1350
asylec1384
receipta1393
refugec1405
port salut?1407
recept1423
porta1425
receptaclec1425
place (etc.) of refuge?a1439
retreat1481
port haven1509
stelling-place1513
refugie1515
retraict1550
safe haven1555
havening place1563
sanctuarya1568
safe harbour1569
sheepfold1579
subterfuge1593
arka1616
lopeholt1616
latebra1626
asylum1642
creep-hole1646
harbourage1651
reverticle1656
creeping-hole1665
a port in a (also the) storm1714
receptory1856
padded cell1876
funk-hole1900
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > opening which may be passed through > for creeping in and out
creep-hole1646
creeping-hole1665
1646 Unhappy Game Scotch & Eng. 20 How willing our brethren are to get a creep-hole, and how they shufle and cut to strugle themselves out of the Bryers.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 560 A poor shifting excuse, a miserable come-off, a very creep-hole.
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta I. iv. 53 A screen of ivy..across the front of this recess..a small creep-hole being left for entrance and exit.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
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n.1646