vermiform
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Since the dawn of modern medicine the vermiform appendix has seemed to be a completely useless organ.
From Time Magazine Archive
For non-cavers who read it, the sensation of being trapped in Mother Earth's vermiform appendix is persuasively real, and the impulse to run gasping into the open air is strong.
From Time Magazine Archive
Dining rooms are the vermiform appendix of American architecture.
From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
