creeping

(krē'pĭng)
adj.
Developing gradually over a period of time: "a creeping sense of cultural dread" (Andrew Sullivan).

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Prostrate or trailing over the ground or over other plants.

1. gradual progression of a lesion or tissue growth.
2. prostrate growth pattern of a plant, e.g. c. buttercup (Ranunculus repens), c. caustic (Euphorbia drummondii), c. charlie (Glechoma hederacea), c. Crofton weed (Eupatorium riparium), c. indigo (Indigofera spicata), c. knapweed (Acroptilon repens), c. lantana (Lantana montevidensis), c. mallow (Modiola carolinianum), c. millotia (Millotia greevesii), c. oxalis (Oxalis corniculata), c. saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata).

• c. eruption — see cutaneous larva migrans.
• c. substitution — gradual penetration across a fracture site by osteogenic tissue followed by bone formation.