vermiform

American  

[vur-muh-fawrm] / ˈvɜr məˌfɔrm /

adjective

1. resembling a worm in shape; long and slender.

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vermiform British  

/ ˈvɜːmɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

1. resembling a worm

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Other Word Forms

• subvermiform adjective

Etymology

Origin of vermiform

From the Medieval Latin word vermiformis, dating back to 1720–30. See vermi-, -form

Explanation

Anything vermiform is long, skinny, and tube-shaped, like a worm. Snakes, earthworms, and even the human appendix can be described as vermiform. The term vermiform is used by scientists to describe worms and worm-like animals — it comes from two Latin roots, vermis, "worm," and forma, "form or shape." So a biologist might describe vermiform leeches in a lake or an infectious disease specialist might diagnose a patient with a vermiform parasite like pinworms. Sometimes body parts with this general shape are also called vermiform, like the vermiform appendix that most humans have.

Example Sentences

The vermiform, “worm-like,” appendix is located at the ileocecal valve.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The appendix just sits there with its little vermiform arms folded, pointing a bacteria-filled gun at you.

From Washington Post • Jul. 16, 2015

The motives that move Columnist Walter Winchell's wormlike thrusts are mysterious to the average man�but not so mysterious to those who feel the pressure of his vermiform "journalism."

From Time Magazine Archive

The peninsula is a vermiform appendix to Mexico.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dining rooms are the vermiform appendix of American architecture.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson