glowworm
[gloh-wurm]
- the wingless female or larva of the European beetle, Lampyris noctiluca, which emits a sustained greenish light.
- any of various other beetle larvae or wingless females that emit a glow rather than a flash of light.
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Origin of glowworm
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for glowworm
Historical Examples
It wavered in patches, it seemed to stir and creep like the light of a glowworm.
YouthJoseph Conrad
Cap's cigarette shone like a glowworm in the shadow of the stack.
Stanford StoriesCharles K. Field
It may be 'tis but a glowworm now; but 'twill Grow to a fire-drake presently.
Fiends, Ghosts, and SpritesJohn Nettin Radcliffe
"A glowworm could not find its mate," he sings, referring to Walther and Eva.
The Complete Opera BookGustav Kobb
The bodies of the glowworm and firefly always are transparent when filled with flame.
Motor Matt's RaceStanley R. Matthews