gordian worm

[ gawr-dee-uhn ]

/ ˈgɔr di ən /

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noun Zoology.

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Origin of gordian worm

After the Gordian knot, alluding to the tangles the worms sometimes form

And the other is what is called a horsehair worm that overtakes the bodies of insects.
Vampires without Glitter or Girl Problems: Inside Guillermo del Toro’s ‘The Strain’|Andrew Romano|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, if we can mix our classical references, Russia has its Sword of Damocles to cut this Gordian Knot.
Ravenous Russia? Thirsty Crimea.|Oleg Shynkarenko, Will Cathcart|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who knew, by the way, that The Carter Center has wiped out guinea worm just about everywhere in Africa but South Sudan?
Don’t Run for President, Hillary. Become a ‘Post-President’ Instead|Tina Brown|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So, Grey Worm arms the slaves of Meereen, who outnumber the citizens three-to-one.
Game of Thrones’ ‘Oathkeeper’: Joffrey’s Killer Revealed, White Walkers, and A New Jaime Lannister|Marlow Stern|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If you like mammal species from the suborder Vermilingua (meaning "worm tongue")...
The March Madness Teams to Cheer If Yours Got Bounced|Ben Teitelbaum|March 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although everybody laughed at such a notion, the Worm-eating Warbler declared that he had a right to his own belief.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
It was no worm that Mrs. Robin had found, but Grandfather Mole's hairless tail sticking out of the ground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
For Mrs. Robin had an end of a pinkish-white worm in her bill, on which she was tugging as hard as she could.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
When he was interviewed, fearsome in manner as he was, he sent the worm away packed with ideas and phrases.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
It also has an enemy, a small worm that forms in its body and gradually eats it up.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade