glowworm

[ gloh-wurm ]

noun

1. the wingless female or larva of the European beetle, Lampyris noctiluca, which emits a sustained greenish light.
2. any of various other beetle larvae or wingless females that emit a glow rather than a flash of light.

Word History and Origins

Origin of glowworm¹

1300–50; Middle English. See glow, worm

Example Sentences

A glowworm is not discerned in the sunshine, though it glister in the dark.

From Project Gutenberg

Every body probably knows, that the male glowworm is a winged, erratic animal, yet may not have seen him.

From Project Gutenberg

Should the sun beg from the glowworm, and should the momentary spark excite the envy of the source of light?

From Project Gutenberg

She looked down the dusky lanes, where glowworm lanterns began to bob and wink.

From Project Gutenberg

With a slim rubber band he fastened a match across the double barrels at the front sight and beneath this placed a glowworm.

From Project Gutenberg