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earthworm
[ urth-wurm ]
/ ˈɜrθˌwɜrm /
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noun
any one of numerous annelid worms that burrow in soil and feed on soil nutrients and decaying organic matter.
Archaic. a mean or groveling person.
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Origin of earthworm
regional variations of earthworm
The earthworm, a commonly used bait for angling, is also called an angleworm in the Northern U.S. and a fishworm in the Northern and Midland U.S. and in New England. It is called a fishing worm in parts of the Midland and Southern U.S., and a wiggler in the Southern U.S.
Because the worm often comes to the surface of the earth when the ground is cool or wet, it is also called a nightwalker in New England, a nightcrawler, chiefly in the Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S., and a dew worm, chiefly in the Inland North and Canada. It is also called a red worm in the North Central, South Midland, and Southern U.S.
Because the worm often comes to the surface of the earth when the ground is cool or wet, it is also called a nightwalker in New England, a nightcrawler, chiefly in the Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S., and a dew worm, chiefly in the Inland North and Canada. It is also called a red worm in the North Central, South Midland, and Southern U.S.
Words nearby earthworm
earthwards, earth wave, earth wax, earthwoman, earthwork, earthworm, earthy, ear to the ground, have one's, ear trumpet, ear tuft, earwax
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use earthworm in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for earthworm
earthworm
/ (ˈɜːθˌwɜːm) /
noun
any of numerous oligochaete worms of the genera Lumbricus, Allolobophora, Eisenia, etc, which burrow in the soil and help aerate and break up the groundRelated adjective: lumbricoid
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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