church mouse (cherch mous)

A mouse supposed to live in a church, where there is nothing for it to eat; hence the proverbial saying, "poor as a church - mouse." church-outedt (chèrch'outed), a. [ Howsoever thus Church - outed by the Prelats, hence may appear the right I have to meddle in these matters, as before the nece ity and constraint appear'd. Milton , Church-Government, Pref., ii.