- worm-eaten
-
adjective
Date: 14th century
1.
a. eaten or burrowed by worms <worm-eaten timber> b. pitted 2. worn-out, antiquated
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Worm-eaten — Worm eat en, a. 1. Eaten, or eaten into, by a worm or by worms; as, worm eaten timber. [1913 Webster] Concave as a covered goblet, or a worm eaten nut. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Worn out; old; worthless. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster] {Worm… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
worm-eaten — worm .eaten adj worm eaten wood or fruit has holes in it because it has been eaten by worms … Dictionary of contemporary English
worm-eaten — worm eat|en [ wɜrm ,itn ] adjective full of holes made by WORMS: worm eaten floors … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
worm-eaten — [wʉrm′ēt΄ n] adj. 1. eaten into by worms, termites, etc. 2. worn out, out of date, etc … English World dictionary
worm-eaten — adjective 1 worm eaten wood or fruit has holes in it because it has been eaten by worms 2 old and damaged … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
worm-eaten — UK [ˈwɜː(r)m ˌiːt(ə)n] / US [ˈwɜrm ˌɪt(ə)n] adjective full of holes made by worms worm eaten floors … English dictionary
worm-eaten — worm′ eat en adj. 1) eaten into or gnawed by worms 2) worn or impaired by time; decayed or antiquated • Etymology: 1350–1400 … From formal English to slang
worm-eaten — /werrm eet n/, adj. 1. eaten into or gnawed by worms. 2. impaired by time, decayed or antiquated. [1350 1400; ME wormeten; see WORM, EAT, EN3] * * * … Universalium
worm-eaten — adjective a) Eaten by worms, especially having a worm inside. b) Rotten or decrepit … Wiktionary
worm-eaten — adjective infested with or damaged (as if eaten) by worms • Syn: ↑vermiculate, ↑wormy • Similar to: ↑worn • Derivationally related forms: ↑worm (for: ↑wormy) … Useful english dictionary