Worm
/wɜːrm/noun
A small, creeping or crawling invertebrate animal, often regarded as a pest.
Did you know?In Old English, 'wyrm' referred not just to worms, but also to dragons and serpents, linking it to ancient tales of transformation and hidden power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“to twist or turn, indicating a wriggling motion.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wurmiz
“a creature that wriggles, specifically a serpent or snake.”
Old English
Old English
wyrm
“a serpent or dragon, often used in mythological contexts.”
Middle English
Middle English
worm
“any creeping or crawling creature, including snakes.”
Modern English
English
worm
“a term for various invertebrates, retaining a connection to its wriggling origins.”