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.

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.

sinuous; tortuous; intricate: vermiculate thought processes.

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

Historical Examples of 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

vermiculation

noun

physiol any wormlike movement, esp of the intestines; peristalsis

decoration consisting of wormlike carving or marks

the state of being worm-eaten

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

vermiculation in Medicine

vermiculation

[vər-mĭk′yə-lā′shən]

n.

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