Worms


Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

Worms

 (wûrmz, vôrms)
A city of southwest Germany on the Rhine River north-northwest of Mannheim. It is noted as the site of the Diet of Worms (1521) in which Martin Luther refused to recant his beliefs and was outlawed by the Roman Catholic Church.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

worms

(wɜːmz)
n
(Pathology) (functioning as singular) any disease or disorder, usually of the intestine, characterized by infestation with parasitic worms

Worms

(wɜːmz; German vɔrms)
n
(Placename) a city in SW Germany, in Rhineland-Palatinate on the Rhine: famous as the seat of imperial diets, notably that of 1521, before which Luther defended his doctrines in the presence of Charles V; river port and manufacturing centre with a large wine trade. Pop: 81 100 (2003 est)
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Worms

(wɜrmz; Ger. vɔrms)

n.
1. a city in E Rhineland-Palatinate, in SW Germany. 71,827.
2. Diet of, the council, or diet, held here (1521) at which Luther was condemned as a heretic.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

worms

  • can of worms - Based on an image of a container of maggots for use as fish bait.
  • food for worms, food for fishes - A dead human being is food for worms; a drowning victim is food for fishes.
  • silkworm - Is not a worm, but a caterpillar.
  • wormwood - There are no worms or wood involved in wormwood, which is an alteration of the word wermod, a plant used for making vermouth, absinthe and medicine.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

Worms

See also zoology.

the branch of zoology that studies worms, especially parasitic worms. — helminthologist, n.helminthologic, helminthologieal, adj.
an abnormal fear of being infested with worms.
an abnormal fear of worms.
a study of worms.
the breeding and raising of silk worms for the production of silk. — sericulturist, n.sericultural, adj.
an agent or preparation for killing tapeworms. — taeniacidal, teniacidal, adj.
Rare. helminthology. — vermeologist, n.
a substance for killing worms, especially intestinal worms, in animals or humans. Cf. vermifuge.
motion similar to that of a worm. See also motion; ornamentation.
a drug for expelling worms from the intestinal tract. Cf. vermicide. — vermifuge, adj.
the state or process of being infested with worms or vermin.
an abnormal fear of worms.
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Translations
-----------------------
Select a language:
References in classic literature ?
Shakespeare says something about worms, or it may be giants or beetles, turning if you tread on them too severely.
The Worm did nothing except fall off his pony, and knock chips out of gate-posts with his trap.
They were now very happy; their home was done, the four blue eggs lay in the soft nest, and the little wife sat still and patient on them, while the husband sang, and told her charming tales, and brought her sweet berries and little worms.
It is a great sacrifice for you lightloving Fairies to dwell through the long winter in the dark, cold earth, watching over the flowerroots, to keep them free from the little grubs and worms that seek to harm them.
"Just imagine such a monster anywhere in this country, and at once we could get a sort of idea of the 'worms,' which possibly did frequent the great morasses which spread round the mouths of many of the great European rivers."
"I WILL get some worms and go fishing and catch a dish of minnows for my dinner," said Mr.
Worms of the riper grave unhid By any kindly coffin lid, Obscene and shameless to the light, Seethe in insatiate appetite, Through putrid offal; while above The hissing blow-fly seeks his love, Whose offspring, supping where they supt, Consume corruption twice corrupt.
His connection with Madame Karenina, by creating so much sensation and attracting general attention, had given him a fresh distinction which soothed his gnawing worm of ambition for a while, but a week before that worm had been roused up again with fresh force.
Having made up his mind to this, he behaved so well that everyone was astonished, never having suspected so much manliness in the quiet Worm.
And, over each quivering form, The curtain, a funeral pall, Comes down with the rush of a storm, And the angels,all pallid and wan, Uprising, unveiling, affirm That the play is the tragedy, "Man," And its hero the Conqueror Worm.
She came to this house to entreat my husband's interference, and before I could be aware of it, everything that you could wish to be concealed was known to him, and unluckily she had wormed out of Mainwaring's servant that he had visited you every day since your being in town, and had just watched him to your door herself!
Under an assumed name I have wormed myself into its service for revenge; and as there is a heaven above us, I will have its heart's blood!"