flesh-wormn.
1. A worm that feeds on flesh. Also (see quot. 1884.)
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the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > division Vermes > [noun] > member of (worm) > parasitic or harmful
flesh-wormc1000
botc1465
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 124 Wiþ flæsc wyrmum genim monnes suran [etc.].
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande ii. f. 9/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I Neates, fleshewormes, bees, butterflies.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 88/2 in R. Holinshed Chron. I I shal be able like a flesh worme to itch the bodie of his Kingdome.
1795 R. Southey Vision Maid of Orleans i. 136 Where thou seest the pamper'd flesh-worm trail, Once the white bosom heaved.
1884 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Flesh worm, the Trichina spiralis.
2. transferred. A carnally-minded person.
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1565 T. Harding Confut. Apol. Church of Eng. iii. f. 134v Discoursing parlament machiauellistes, and all other what so euer flesh-wormes, Merchantes, idle artificers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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