worm

¹worm

noun, often attributive \ˈwərm\

Definition of WORM

1

a : earthworm; broadly : an annelid worm b : any of numerous relatively small elongated usually naked and soft-bodied animals (as a grub, pinworm, tapeworm, shipworm, or slowworm)

2

a : a human being who is an object of contempt, loathing, or pity : wretch b : something that torments or devours from within

3

archaic : snake, serpent

4

: helminthiasis —usually used in plural

5

: something (as a mechanical device) spiral or vermiculate in form or appearance: as a : the thread of a screw b : a short revolving screw whose threads gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or a rack c : archimedes' screw; also : a conveyor working on the principle of such a screw

6

: a usually small self-contained and self-replicating computer program that invades computers on a network and usually performs a destructive action

— worm·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of WORM

1. I often see worms in the garden.
2. We always used worms as bait for fishing.

Origin of WORM

Middle English, from Old English wyrm serpent, worm; akin to Old High German wurm serpent, worm, Latin vermis worm

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

Rhymes with WORM

berm, firm, germ, herm, perm, sperm, squirm, term, therm