shipworm n 1: wormlike marine bivalve that bores into wooden piers and ships by means of drill-like shells [syn: {shipworm}, {teredinid}]
Shipworm \Ship"worm`\, n. (Zool.) Any long, slender, worm-shaped bivalve mollusk of {Teredo} and allied genera. The shipworms burrow in wood, and are destructive to wooden ships, piles of wharves, etc. See {Teredo}. [1913 Webster]
Teredo \Te*re"do\, n.; pl. E. {Teredos}, L. {Teredines}. [L., a worm that gnaws wood, clothes, etc.; akin to Gr. ?, L. terere to rub.] (Zool.) A genus of long, slender, wormlike bivalve mollusks which bore into submerged wood, such as the piles of wharves, bottoms of ships, etc.; -- called also {shipworm}. See {Shipworm}. See Illust. in Appendix. [1913 Webster]