silkworm

American  

[silk-wurm] / ˈsɪlkˌwɜrm /

noun

1. the larva of the Chinese silkworm moth, Bombyx mori, which spins a cocoon of commercially valuable silk.

2. the larva of any of several moths of the family Saturniidae, which spins a silken cocoon.

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silkworm British  

/ ˈsɪlkˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the larva of the Chinese moth Bombyx mori, that feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree: widely cultivated as a source of silk

2. any of various similar or related larvae

3. the moth of any of these larvae

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Etymology

Origin of silkworm

before 1000; Middle English sylkewyrme, Old English seolcwyrm. See silk, worm