[BEAR sb.1]
† 1. = SEA-BEAR 3. Obs.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Water-Bears, a sort of Bears in Spitsberg, or North-East Greenland, that live by what they catch in the Sea.
2. A sloth-animalcule.
1852. A. Pritchard, Infusorial Animal. (new ed.), 685. They are very sluggish in their movements, and are commonly known under the name of ‘little water bears.’
1861. H. J. Slack, Marvels of Pond-life, ii. 23. Last in the list we have the Tardigrada, ‘Slow-steppers,’ or Water Bears, queer little creatures, something like new-born puppies, with a double allowance of imperfect feet.
1889. [see SLOTH sb.1 5].
