vermiculate

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

/ verb vərˈmɪk yəˌleɪt; adjective vərˈmɪk yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), ver·mic·u·lat·ed, ver·mic·u·lat·ing.

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

adjective Also ver·mic·u·lat·ed [ver-mik-yuh-ley-tid] /vərˈmɪk yəˌleɪ tɪd/.

worm-eaten, or appearing as if worm-eaten.

vermicular.

sinuous; tortuous; intricate: vermiculate thought processes.

Nearby words

vermicide, vermicular, vermicular movement, vermicular pulse, vermicularly, vermiculate, vermiculated, vermiculation, vermicule, vermiculite, vermiculose

Origin of vermiculate

First recorded in 1595–1605, vermiculate is from the Latin word vermiculātus (past participle of vermiculārī to be worm-eaten). See vermicule, -ate¹

Related formsver·mic·u·la·tion, nounun·ver·mic·u·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vermiculation

The vermiculation is never well developed (see plate 38 in Conant, 1958).
A Taxonomic Revision of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus Syrrhophus Cope|John D. Lynch

British Dictionary definitions for vermiculation (1 of 2)

vermiculation

/ (vɜːˌmɪkjʊˈleɪʃən) /

noun

physiol any wormlike movement, esp of the intestines; peristalsis

decoration consisting of wormlike carving or marks

the state of being worm-eaten

British Dictionary definitions for vermiculation (2 of 2)

vermiculate

verb (vɜːˈmɪkjʊˌleɪt)

(tr) to decorate with wavy or wormlike tracery or markings

adjective (vɜːˈmɪkjʊlɪt, -ˌleɪt)

vermicular; sinuous

worm-eaten or appearing as if worm-eaten

(of thoughts, etc) insinuating; subtly tortuous

Word Origin for vermiculate

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

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

Medicine definitions for vermiculation

vermiculation

[ vər-mĭk′yə-lā′shən ]

n.

Motion resembling that of a worm, especially the wavelike contractions of the intestine; peristalsis.