blindworm
English
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Anguis_fragilis.jpeg/220px-Anguis_fragilis.jpeg)
Etymology
blind + worm, because of its very small eyes.
Noun
blindworm (plural blindworms)
- Anguis fragilis (slowworm), a small species of legless lizard.
- 1587, Raphael Holinshed et al., Chronicles of England, Scotlande and Irelande, Volume I, Book 3, Chapter 6, p. 228,[1]
- […] we haue a blind worme to be found vnder logs in woods, and timber that hath lien long in a place, which some also doo call (and vpon better ground) by the name of [s]low worms, and they are knowen easilie by their more or lesse varietie of striped colours, drawen long waies from their heads, their whole bodies little excéeding a foot in length, & yet is there venem deadlie.
- c. 1595, William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act II, Scene 2,[2]
- You spotted snakes with double tongue,
- Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;
- Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,
- Come not near our fairy queen.
- 1587, Raphael Holinshed et al., Chronicles of England, Scotlande and Irelande, Volume I, Book 3, Chapter 6, p. 228,[1]
Translations
slowworm — see slowworm
References
Anguis fragilis on Wikipedia.Wikipedia