Crēat′/ure, n.
(krēt′/yur, 53), n. [Lat. creatura, Fr. créature, Pr., It., & Pg. creatura, Sp. creatura, criatura. See CREATE.]
Sense 1. Any thing created; any being not self-existent; especially, any being created with life; an animal; a man.
He asked water, a creature so common and needful that it was against the law of nature to deny him. Fuller.
God's first creature was light. Bacon.
On earth, join, all ye creatures, to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. Milton.
Sense 2. A human being, in contempt or endearment; as, a poor creature: a pretty creature. “The thoughtless creatures who make up the lump of that [the female] sex.” Steele.
The world hath not a sweeter creature. Shak.
Sense 3. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another, and is made to promote his ends; a servile dependent.
Hoping that he would continue in an entire dependence on him, and be his creature. Burnet.
Great princes thus, when favorites they raise, To justify their grace, their creatures praise. Dryden.
All centered, therefore, in half a dozen ruffians and their creatures. De Quincey.