Maggot-Ridden
/ˈmæɡ.ət ˌrɪd.ən/noun
Infested with maggots or figuratively overwhelmed by decay and corruption.
Did you know?Maggot originally meant a worm or grub before becoming specifically associated with the larvae of flies; its deeper origin remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reidh-
“To ride or travel by riding; the proposed ancient root behind the English verb ride.”
Old English
Old English
rīdan
“To ride, travel, or move on horseback.”
Middle English
Middle English
magot
“A maggot, grub, or small worm; the word’s ultimate origin is uncertain.”
Middle English
Middle English
riden
“The past participle of ride: ridden or carried.”
Modern English
English
maggot-ridden
“Infested with maggots; later also used metaphorically for something saturated with corruption or decay.”