Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CREA'TURE, n. [Fr.]

1. That which is created; every being besides the Creator, or every thing not self-existent. The sun, moon and stars; the earth, animals, plants, light, darkness, air, water, &c., are the creatures of God.
2. In a restricted sense, an animal of any kind; a living being; a beast. In a more restricted sense, man. Thus we say, he was in trouble, and no creature was present to aid him.
3. A human being in contempt; as, an idle creature; a poor creature; what a creature!
4. With words of endearment, it denotes a human being beloved; as, a pretty creature; a sweet creature.
5. That which is produced, formed or imagined; as, a creature of the imagination.
6. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; one who is made to be what he is. Great princes thus, when favorites they raise, / To justify their grace, their creatures praise. – Dryden.
7. A dependent; a person who is subject to the will or influence of another.