1
- no obj., with adverbial of direction(of a person) move forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground（人）爬, 爬行; 匍匐行进：
they crawled from under the table.
他们从桌子底下爬了出来。
1.1
- (of an insect or small animal) move slowly along a surface（昆虫或小动物）爬动：
the tiny spider was crawling up Nicky's arm.
那小蜘蛛在尼克的胳膊上向上爬着。
1.2
- (of a vehicle) move at an unusually slow pace（车辆）缓慢行进：
the traffic was crawling along.
车辆像爬一样向前行进着。
1.3
- swim using the crawl用爬式（或自由式）游泳。
1.4
- no obj. informal behave obsequiously or ingratiatingly in the hope of gaining someone's favour〈非正式〉卑躬屈膝, 谄媚奉承：
a reporter's job can involve crawling to objectionable people.
记者的工作可能需要逢迎讨厌的人。
1.5
- technical (of paint or other liquid) move after application to form an uneven layer over the surface below〈技〉（油漆或其他液体）皱缩, 起块：
glazes can crawl away from a crack in the piece.
釉料可能会在作品的裂缝处起皱。
2
be crawling with
be covered or crowded with insects or people, to an extent that is disgusting or objectionable爬满（虫子）; 挤满（人）：the place was crawling with soldiers.
那个地方到处是士兵。
2.1
- no obj. feel an unpleasant sensation resembling something moving over the skin as a symptom of fear or disgust（作为恐惧或厌恶的征兆）起鸡皮疙瘩, 有虫子爬的感觉：
a person dying in a fire - doesn't it make your skin crawl?
一个在火中垂死挣扎的人——难道那不让你毛骨悚然吗？
in sing.
1
- an act of moving on one's hands and knees or dragging one's body along the ground爬, 爬行; 匍匐行进：
they began the crawl back to their own lines.
他们开始爬回他们自己的营地。
1.1
- a slow rate of movement, typically that of a vehicle（常指车辆的）缓慢行进：
he reduced his speed to a crawl.
他将速度降至极低。
2
- a swimming stroke involving alternate overarm movements and rapid kicks of the legs爬泳, 自由泳。
派生词
crawlingly
adverbcrawly
adjective词源
Middle English:of unknown origin; possibly related to Swedish kravla and Danish kravle.