Obs. One who creeps in corners; fig. one whose proceedings are underhand and stealthy.
1562. Burn. Paules Ch., Beccause my Lord Bishop, Maister Doctor, or such Scauingers, and corner creepers, as this Champion is … deceiue the people with lies priuely in corners.
1589. Cooper, Admon., 48. But what careth such a corner-creeper what he saith of any man?
1618. E. Elton, Exp. Romans vii. (1622), 93. Simple women, that are cariyed away as a prey, by hypocriticall and cunning Seducers, Corner-creepers.
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1692), 149. The Tumults of Sectaries, Corner-creepers, and debauch’d Hang-by’s.
1879. M. Arnold, Falkland, Mixed Ess. 211. Agents of conversion to the Romish Church, corner-creepers as they were called, penetrated everywhere.
So † Corner-creeping ppl. a. Obs.
1610. Bp. Hall, Apol. Brownists, § 57. 142. The corner-creeping Brownists.
1631. Heylin, St. George, 181. A slie and corner-creeping kind of people, active in private places.
1638. in Maidment, Sc. Pasquils (1868), 40–3. From corner-creeping parlour preachers … Almighty God deliver us.
