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

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

From Chip, of the Flying U by Russell, Charles M.

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

Therefore the rock is called Tutokanula, the measuring worm.

From Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest by Judson, Katharine Berry

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