Worm
WordNet
noun
(1) Any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
(2) Screw thread on a gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or rack
(3) A software program capable of reproducing itself that can spread from one computer to the next over a network
"Worms take advantage of automatic file sending and receiving features found on many computers"
(4) A person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect
verb
(5) To move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
"The prisoner writhed in discomfort"
"The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from , from , from possibly from ; Compare Latin /, French . First computer usage by John Brunner in his 1975 book The Shockwave Rider.
Noun
- A generally tubular invertebrate of the annelid phylum.
- A contemptible or devious being.
- Don't try to run away, you little worm!
- A self-replicating program that propagates widely through a network.
- A graphical representation of the total runs scored in an innings.
- Anything helical, especially the thread of a screw.
- 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
Verb
- To move with one's body dragging the ground.
- We wormed our way through the underbrush.
- To get (into) in a devious way.
- He wormed his way into the organization
- To work through something slowly or gradually.
- To fill in the contlines of a rope before parcelling and serving.
- Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.
- To deworm an animal.
See also
- caterpillar
- grub
- maggot
- Trojan horse
- vermiform
- virus