1 Brit. a a small bay or harbour on a sea-coast. b a narrow inlet on a sea-coast or in a river-bank.
2 esp. US a tributary of a river; a stream.
3 Austral. & NZ a stream or brook.
Phrases and idioms:
up the creek sl.
1 in difficulties or trouble.
2 crazy.
Etymology: ME crike f. ON kriki nook (or partly f. OF crique f. ON), & ME creke f. MDu. kreke (or f. crike by lengthening): ult. orig. unkn.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.