from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Worm \Worm\ (w[^u]rm), n. [OE. worm, wurm, AS. wyrm; akin to D.
worm, OS. & G. wurm, Icel. ormr, Sw. & Dan. orm, Goth.
wa['u]rms, L. vermis, Gr. ? a wood worm. Cf. {Vermicelli},
{Vermilion}, {Vermin}.]
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1. A creeping or a crawling animal of any kind or size, as a
serpent, caterpillar, snail, or the like. [Archaic]
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There came a viper out of the heat, and leapt on his
hand. When the men of the country saw the worm hang
on his hand, they said, This man must needs be a
murderer. --Tyndale
(Acts xxviii.
3, 4).
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'T is slander,
Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile. --Shak.
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When Cerberus perceived us, the great worm,
His mouth he opened and displayed his tusks.
--Longfellow.
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2. Any small creeping animal or reptile, either entirely
without feet, or with very short ones, including a great
variety of animals; as, an earthworm; the blindworm.
Specifically: (Zool.)
(a) Any helminth; an entozoon.
(b) Any annelid.
(c) An insect larva.
(d) pl. Same as {Vermes}.
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3. An internal tormentor; something that gnaws or afflicts
one's mind with remorse.
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The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!
--Shak.
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4. A being debased and despised.
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I am a worm, and no man. --Ps. xxii. 6.
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5. Anything spiral, vermiculated, or resembling a worm; as:
(a) The thread of a screw.
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The threads of screws, when bigger than can be
made in screw plates, are called worms. --Moxon.
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(b) A spiral instrument or screw, often like a double
corkscrew, used for drawing balls from firearms.
(c) (Anat.) A certain muscular band in the tongue of some
animals, as the dog; the lytta. See {Lytta}.
(d) The condensing tube of a still, often curved and wound
to economize space. See Illust. of {Still}.
(e) (Mach.) A short revolving screw, the threads of which
drive, or are driven by, a worm wheel by gearing into
its teeth or cogs. See Illust. of {Worm gearing},
below.
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{Worm abscess} (Med.), an abscess produced by the irritation
resulting from the lodgment of a worm in some part of the
body.
{Worm fence}. See under {Fence}.
{Worm gear}. (Mach.)
(a) A worm wheel.
(b) Worm gearing.
{Worm gearing}, gearing consisting of a worm and worm wheel
working together.
{Worm grass}. (Bot.)
(a) See {Pinkroot}, 2
(a) .
(b) The white stonecrop ({Sedum album}) reputed to have
qualities as a vermifuge. --Dr. Prior.
{Worm oil} (Med.), an anthelmintic consisting of oil obtained
from the seeds of {Chenopodium anthelminticum}.
{Worm powder} (Med.), an anthelmintic powder.
{Worm snake}. (Zool.) See {Thunder snake}
(b), under {Thunder}.
{Worm tea} (Med.), an anthelmintic tea or tisane.
{Worm tincture} (Med.), a tincture prepared from dried
earthworms, oil of tartar, spirit of wine, etc. [Obs.]
{Worm wheel}, a cogwheel having teeth formed to fit into the
spiral spaces of a screw called a worm, so that the wheel
may be turned by, or may turn, the worm; -- called also
{worm gear}, and sometimes {tangent wheel}. See Illust. of
{Worm gearing}, above.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fence \Fence\ (f[e^]ns), n. [Abbrev. from defence.]
1. That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a
protection; a cover; security; shield.
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Let us be backed with God and with the seas,
Which he hath given for fence impregnable. --Shak.
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A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.
--Addison.
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2. An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any
object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron,
or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from
without or straying from within.
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Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.
--Milton.
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Note: In England a hedge, ditch, or wall, as well as a
structure of boards, palings, or rails, is called a
fence.
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3. (Locks) A projection on the bolt, which passes through the
tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
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4. Self-defense by the use of the sword; the art and practice
of fencing and sword play; hence, skill in debate and
repartee. See {Fencing}.
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Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric,
That hath so well been taught her dazzing fence.
--Milton.
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Of dauntless courage and consummate skill in fence.
--Macaulay.
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5. A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are
received. [Slang] --Mayhew.
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{Fence month} (Forest Law), the month in which female deer
are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. --Bullokar.
{Fence roof}, a covering for defense. "They fitted their
shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof."
--Holland.
{Fence time}, the breeding time of fish or game, when they
should not be killed.
{Rail fence}, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by
posts.
{Ring fence}, a fence which encircles a large area, or a
whole estate, within one inclosure.
{Worm fence}, a zigzag fence composed of rails crossing one
another at their ends; -- called also {snake fence}, or
{Virginia rail fence}.
{To be on the fence}, to be undecided or uncommitted in
respect to two opposing parties or policies. [Colloq.]
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