armyworm

[ ahr-mee-wurm ]

/ ˈɑr miˌwɜrm /

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noun

the caterpillar of a noctuid moth, Pseudaletia unipuncta, that often travels in large numbers over a region, destroying crops of wheat, corn, etc.

any of the larvae of several related moths having similar habits.

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of armyworm

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45; army + worm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use armyworm in a sentence

Fry had previously confirmed the news to his army of followers on Twitter.
Meet Stephen Fry’s Future Husband (Who Is Less Than Half His Age)|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Fatima says they were initially happy when Ziad joined the army, but that feeling has utterly faded.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sabrine says that if Ziad returns, she will make him leave the army.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The army has since conducted a brutal wave of jailings against activists and journalists.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We are, essentially, an army of guinea pigs millions strong.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In less than ten minutes, the bivouac was broken up, and our little army on the march.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
If you have any thoughts of influencing me or my men to join the regular Confederate army, you may as well give up the idea.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Above all, he was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst of peace and among a free people.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
Nogués and his brave lads have done their bit indeed for the glory of the Army of France.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
He will tell you about the success he had in America; it quite makes up for the defeat of the British army in the Revolution.
Confidence|Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for armyworm

army worm

noun

the caterpillar of a widely distributed noctuid moth, Leucania unipuncta, which travels in vast hordes and is a serious pest of cereal crops in North America

any of various similar caterpillars

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012