worm
• noun 1 an earthworm or other creeping or burrowing invertebrate animal having a long slender soft body and no limbs. 2 (worms) intestinal or other internal parasites. 3 a maggot regarded as eating dead bodies buried in the ground. 4 informal a weak or despicable person. • verb 1 move by crawling or wriggling. 2 (worm one’s way into) insinuate one’s way into. 3 (worm out of) obtain (information) from (someone) by cunning persistence. 4 treat (an animal) with a preparation designed to expel parasitic worms. — PHRASES (even) a worm will turn proverb (even) a meek person will resist or retaliate if pushed too far. — ORIGIN Old English.
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