worm

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worm (arch.) serpent, dragon; †reptile; creeping limbless invertebrate; endoparasitic helminth; larva of insect, maggot OE.; spiral tool, etc. XVI. OE. wyrm, later wurm, corr. to OS., (O)HG. wurm (Du. worm), ON. ormr serpent, Goth. waurms :- Gmc. *wurmiz and *wurmaz, rel. to L. vermis worm. Gr. rhómos, rhómox woodworm, Lith. vařmas insect, midge.
Hence vb. hunt worms; get rid of, make one's way, etc. by subtle means XVI. Comps. worm-eaten XIV, worm-hole XVI.

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