[worm] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OE wyrm serpent, worm; akin to OHG wurm serpent, worm, L vermis worm] (bef. 12c) 1 a: earthworm; broadly: an annelid worm b: any of numerous relatively small elongated usu. naked and soft-bodied animals: as (1): an insect larva; esp: one that is a destructive grub, caterpillar, or maggot (2): shipworm (3): blindworm
2. a: a human being who is an object of contempt, loathing, or pity: wretch b: something that torments or devours from within 3 archaic: snake, serpent
4: helminthiasis--usu. used in pl.
5: something (as a mechanical device) spiral or vermiculate in form or appearance: as a: the thread of a screw b: a short revolving screw whose threads gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or a rack c: a spiral condensing tube used in distilling d: archimedes' screw; also: a conveyor working on the principle of such a screw
6: a usu. small self-contained computer program that invades computers on a network and usu. performs a malicious action -- worm.like adj
[2]worm vi (1610): to move or proceed sinuously or insidiously ~ vt 1 a: to proceed or make (one's way) insidiously or deviously "~ their way into positions of power --Bill Franzen" b: to insinuate or introduce (oneself) by devious or subtle means c: to cause to move or proceed in or as if in the manner of a worm
2: to wind rope or yarn spirally round and between the strands of (a cable or rope) before serving
3: to obtain or extract by artful or insidious questioning or by pleading, asking, or persuading--usu. used with out of
4: to treat (an animal) with a drug to destroy or expel parasitic worms