worm
worm in archaic use, a serpent, snake, or dragon. Recorded from Old English (in form wyrm) the word originally also meant any animal which creeps or crawls, a reptile or insect.
The current meaning of an earthworm or similar invertebrate animal with a long slender soft body also dates from Old English, and gives rise to the allusive uses of worm as the type of weakness, humility, or nakedness.
Worm has also been used from Old English for a maggot, or in popular belief, an earthworm, supposed to eat dead bodies in the grave; in biblical allusion, this becomes one of the pains of hell, as in Mark 9:48.
even a worm will turn proverbial saying, mid 16th century, meaning that even a meek person will resist or retaliate if pushed too far.
See also the early bird catches the worm.
The current meaning of an earthworm or similar invertebrate animal with a long slender soft body also dates from Old English, and gives rise to the allusive uses of worm as the type of weakness, humility, or nakedness.
Worm has also been used from Old English for a maggot, or in popular belief, an earthworm, supposed to eat dead bodies in the grave; in biblical allusion, this becomes one of the pains of hell, as in Mark 9:48.
even a worm will turn proverbial saying, mid 16th century, meaning that even a meek person will resist or retaliate if pushed too far.
See also the early bird catches the worm.
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worm