hellgrammite

[ hel-gruh-mahyt ]

/ ˈhɛl grəˌmaɪt /

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noun

the aquatic larva of a dobsonfly, used as bait in fishing.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of hellgrammite

An Americanism dating back to1865–70; origin uncertain

Words nearby hellgrammite

Hellespontus, hellfire, hell-fired, hell-for-leather, Hell Gate, hellgrammite, hell has no fury like a woman scorned, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, hellhole, hellhound, Hellinger

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hellgrammite in a sentence

When the dobson is full grown, it is called a hellgrammite fly or horned corydalis.
Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets|Various
They bring us our chow and say it is angleworm and hellgrammite porridge as that is what the Subterro denizens live on mostly.
Operation Earthworm|Joe Archibald

British Dictionary definitions for hellgrammite

hellgrammite

/ (ˈhɛlɡrəˌmaɪt) /

noun

US the larva of the dobsonfly, about 10 cm long with biting mouthparts: used as bait for bassAlso called: dobson

Word Origin for hellgrammite

C19: of unknown origin

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