creature

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Something created.
2. n. A living being, especially an animal: land creatures; microscopic creatures in a drop of water.
3. n. A human.
4. n. An imaginary or fantastical being: mythological creatures; a creature from outer space.
5. n. One dependent on or subservient to another.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A created thing; hence, a thing in general, animate or inanimate.
2. n. Specifically, and most commonly, a living created being; an animal or animate being.
3. n. In a limited sense, a human being: used absolutely or with an epithet (poor, idle, low, etc., or good, pretty, sweet, etc.), in contempt, commiseration, or endearment: as, an idle creature; what a creature! a pretty creature; a sweet creature.
4. n. Something regarded as created by, springing from, or entirely dependent upon something else.
5. n. Specifically, a person who owes his rise and fortune to another; one who is subject to the will or influence of another; an instrument; a tool.
6. n. Intoxicating drink, especially whisky.
7. Of or belonging to the body: as, creature comforts.

Wiktionary

1. n. A created thing, whether animate or inanimate; a creation.
2. n. A living being; an animal or human.
3. n. A being subservient to or dependent upon another.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. Anything created; anything not self-existent; especially, any being created with life; an animal; a man.
2. n. A human being, in pity, contempt, or endearment.
3. n. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; a servile dependent; an instrument; a tool.
4. n. A general term among farmers for horses, oxen, etc.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a human being; `wight' is an archaic term
2. n. a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
3. n. a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else