Sense file
How the sense moved
The archive follows the dated record first, then reads the social or rhetorical pressure that hardened, softened, narrowed, or reversed the word.
Older meaning
A small rodent.
Modern meaning
A computer pointing device.
Research lens
The archive uses this entry as a compact map, not a complete monograph.
Meaning trail
Older use
small rodent
Literal animal reference.
Bridge
shape resemblance
The device looked mouse-like enough to stick.
Now
input device
The metaphor became ordinary hardware vocabulary.