worm
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English worm, from Old English wyrm (“‘serpent, dragon, worm’”), from Proto-Germanic *wurmiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wrmi-, *wrmo- (“‘serpent, scorpion, maggot, worm’”) possibly from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“‘to turn’”); Compare Latin vermis/vermin, French ver. First computer usage by John Brunner in his 1975 book The Shockwave Rider.
[edit] Pronunciation
- (RP) IPA: /wɜːm/, SAMPA: /w3:m/
- (US) enPR: wûrm, IPA: /wɝm/, SAMPA: /w3`m/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -ɜː(r)m
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
worm (plural worms)
- A generally tubular invertebrate of the annelid phylum.
- A contemptible or devious being.
- Don't try to run away, you little worm!
- (computing) A self-replicating program that propagates widely through a network.
- (cricket) A graphical representation of the total runs scored in an innings.
- Anything helical, especially the thread of a screw.
- (archaic) A dragon or mythological serpent.
- An internal tormentor; something that gnaws or afflicts one's mind with remorse.
- The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul! — Richard III, William Shakespeare
[edit] Translations
animal
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contemptible being
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self-replicating program
cricket term
something helical, especially the thread of a screw
dragon or mythological serpent
internal tormentor
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to worm (third-person singular simple present worms, present participle worming, simple past and past participle wormed)
- (intransitive) To move with one's body dragging the ground.
- We wormed our way through the underbrush.
- (intransitive, figuratively) To get (into) in a devious way.
- He wormed his way into the organization
- (intransitive) To work through something slowly or gradually.
- (intransitive, nautical) To fill in the contlines of a rope before parcelling and serving.
- Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
- (transitive) To deworm an animal.
[edit] Translations
to move with one's body dragging the ground
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to get (into) in a devious way
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to work through something slowly or gradually
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[edit] Derived terms
[edit] See also
[edit] Dutch
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
worm m. (plural wormen, diminutive wormpje)

