Creature Meaning
Creature Definition & Usage
A living being, especially one that is not human. This term is typically used to refer to animals, both real and imagined, as well as beings with strange or extraordinary features.
Examples
- "The jungle is full of strange creatures, from monkeys to exotic birds."
- "The explorers stumbled upon a mysterious creature in the depths of the cave."
- "In mythology, the creature known as the unicorn has fascinated people for centuries."
- "The ocean is home to a wide range of creatures, including dolphins and jellyfish."
- "He felt like a creature of the night, roaming the streets under the moonlight."
A person, especially when considered in a particular way (e.g., in a negative, affectionate, or unusual context).
Examples
- "You're a strange creature, always doing things your own way."
- "She’s such a creature of habit, always sitting in the same spot at lunch."
- "Stop acting like a creature of the night and get some sleep!"
- "He was a creature of emotion, his moods swinging dramatically from joy to sadness."
- "Some people are creatures of comfort, never willing to take risks."
Cultural Context
The word 'creature' originates from the Latin 'creatura,' meaning 'something created,' from 'creare,' meaning 'to create.' In modern English, 'creature' can refer to any living being, often evoking a sense of the unusual or fantastical, especially in stories of mythology or folklore. It is frequently used in a wide range of contexts, from biological discussions to casual slang.
The Creature in the Forest
Story
The Creature in the Forest
One autumn evening, a group of friends decided to venture into the deep woods beyond their village. They had heard rumors of a creature lurking in the forest—something strange, neither human nor animal, that only appeared under the full moon. They didn't believe it at first, chalking up the stories to local superstition, but curiosity got the better of them. As they walked deeper into the forest, the night air thick with mist, the trees seemed to close in around them. Suddenly, a rustle in the underbrush caught their attention. One of the group, John, was the first to speak. 'Did you hear that? It sounded like... a creature.' They stopped in their tracks, their breaths shallow. Slowly, they turned around, trying to see through the dense fog. There, emerging from the shadows, was a figure. It was humanoid in shape but covered in thick fur, with glowing eyes that seemed to pierce the darkness. Its massive paws left deep impressions in the soft earth as it moved. The creature was unlike anything they'd ever seen. 'What is it?' whispered Sarah, clutching John's arm. 'It must be one of the mythical creatures people talk about around here,' he replied, his voice trembling. 'But it doesn't look like any animal I've heard of. It's something... otherworldly.' The creature watched them silently for a moment, its eyes narrowing, then slowly began to retreat back into the shadows. As the friends stood frozen, a sense of awe washed over them. This wasn’t just a wild animal—it was a living being, a creature from the realm of myth and folklore. They watched as it disappeared into the mist, leaving them with only their thoughts and the echo of its presence. The forest was quiet again, but none of them spoke for the rest of the walk home. They had seen the creature, and they knew they would never forget it. In the days that followed, Sarah began to think about the nature of the creature. 'Maybe it's just a misunderstood animal,' she said, 'but I think there's something magical about it.'
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