vermiculate

[ verb ver-mik-yuh-leyt; adjective ver-mik-yuh-lit, -leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ver·mic·u·lat·ed, ver·mic·u·lat·ing.

1. to work or ornament with wavy lines or markings resembling the form or tracks of a worm.

adjective

1. worm-eaten, or appearing as if worm-eaten.
2. vermicular.
3. sinuous; tortuous; intricate:

   vermiculate thought processes.

vermiculate

verb

1. tr to decorate with wavy or wormlike tracery or markings

adjective

1. vermicular; sinuous
2. worm-eaten or appearing as if worm-eaten
3. (of thoughts, etc) insinuating; subtly tortuous

Other Words From

• ver·micu·lation noun
• unver·micu·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vermiculate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, vermiculate is from the Latin word vermiculātus (past participle of vermiculārī to be worm-eaten). See vermicule, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vermiculate¹

C17: from Latin vermiculātus in the form of worms, from vermis worm

Example Sentences

Some that I caught and examined closely had, as Scott says, "vermiculate marks on the back very plain and distinct."

From Project Gutenberg

What a breeding nest of vermiculate cares and pains was this human heart of ours!

From Project Gutenberg

My life seemed only a vermiculate one, a crawling about of half-thoughts-half-feelings through the corpse of a decaying existence.

From Project Gutenberg

Religion itself in the hearts of the unreal, is a dead thing; what seems life in it, is the vermiculate life of a corpse.

From Project Gutenberg

Vermiculate: worm-like in form: a marking with wormlike tracings.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• circuitous
• convoluted
• indirect
• labyrinthine
• meandering
• serpentine
• twisting
• winding