measuring worm

American  

/ ˈmɛʒ ər ɪŋ ˌwɜrm /

Or measuringworm

noun

Older Use.

1. inchworm.

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measuring worm British  

noun

1. Also called: looper.   inchworm.  the larva of a geometrid moth: it has legs on its front and rear segments only and moves in a series of loops

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Etymology

Origin of measuring worm

An Americanism first recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

After a hard fight, in the course of which I was stung twice, I unseated the trio and took the measuring worm away from them.

From Project Gutenberg

The courtyard hosts an outdoor library, and math and science lessons can involve measuring worms or studying the anatomy of real plants, instead of diagrams.

From Washington Post

Then came the tul-tok´-a-na, the insignificant measuring worm, who was despised by all the other creatures, and began to creep up the face of the rock.

From Project Gutenberg

"See that measuring worm crawling up my skirt!" cried Mrs. Bjenks.

From Project Gutenberg

The Little Doctor watched a pale green "measuring worm" loop its way hurriedly along the floor of the porch.

From Project Gutenberg