n.
Pronunciation: ' her- ˌ w ə rm
Function: noun
Date: 1658
1 : any of a phylum (Nematomorpha) of elongated worms that have separate sexes, are parasitic in arthropods as larvae, and are free-living in water as adults ― called also horsehair worm
2 : any of a genus ( Capillaria ) of nematode worms that include serious parasites of the alimentary tract of fowls and tissue and organ parasites of mammals