measuring worm

American  

[mezh-er-ing wurm] / 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

Kate inched over her own thoughts like a measuring worm.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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 Jungle Peace by Beebe, William

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 Indians of the Yosemite Valley and Vicinity Their History, Customs and Traditions by Clark, Galen

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

From Toaster's Handbook Jokes, Stories, and Quotations by Fanning, C. E. (Clara Elizabeth)

The only positive benefit which occurs to me is that the measuring worm, which formerly infested all our vegetation, is now very nearly extinct through the instrumentality of the sparrows.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 363, December 16, 1882 by Various