earthworm
(ˈɜːθwɜːm)
[f. earth n.1 + worm.]
1. A worm that lives in the ground, esp. an individual of the genus Lumbricus.
| 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Lombriz, an easse, an earth worme, lumbricus. 1594 ? Greene Selinus Wks. 1881–3 XIV. 220 We, like earth wormes lurking in the weeds, Do liue inglorious in all mens eyes. 1718 Quincy Compl. Disp. 148 Earth-Worms, are often us'd in compositions for cooling and cleansing the Viscera. 1855 Owen Comp. Anat. (ed. 2) xi. 228 The second order [of annelids] includes the earth-worms. |
2. fig. a. As a disparaging designation for a human being,
esp. a mean or grovelling person.
b. With allusion to the ‘worm’ in the grave.
| 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. Ep. Ded. 2 This generation of earth-wormes, which place nature..in the roome of the Creatour. 1625 Burges Pers. Tithes 39 The Couetous Earth-worme would laugh in his sleeue to see his elbow vnderlaid with such a Cushion. 1684 Charnock Attrib. God (1834) II. 606 How should such an earth-worm..be afraid to speak irreverently of so great a king? 1869 Goulburn Purs. Holiness viii. 73 Apt to be smitten by the earthworm of death. |
| attrib. 1626 W. Sclater Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 22 God so ordering the state of his earth-worme Children. |