slowworm

[ sloh-wurm ]

noun

1. blindworm ( def 2 ).

slowworm

/ ˈsləʊˌwɜːm /

noun

1. a Eurasian legless lizard, Anguis fragilis, with a brownish-grey snakelike body: family Anguidae Also calledblindworm

Word History and Origins

Origin of slowworm¹

before 900; slow + worm; replacing Middle English slowerm, slowurme, Old English slāwerm, slāwyrm, equivalent to slā- (compare dialectal Swedish slo, Norwegian slō slowworm) + wyrm worm

Example Sentences

No will-o'-the-wisp mislight thee, No snake or slowworm bite thee, But on, on thy way, Not making a stay, Since ghost there's none to affright thee.

From Project Gutenberg

A snake or an adder would have begun to move away the moment any one stopped to look at it; but the slowworm takes no notice, and hence it is often said to be blind.

From Project Gutenberg

From all parts of Europe long and sinister black files are crawling hitherward in serpentine lines, like slowworms through grass.

From Project Gutenberg

The boys at the village school say that slowworms are poisonous; is not that silly?

From Project Gutenberg

A silvery creature like a slowworm came crawling out from among them, slowly crossed the clay floor, and crept into the fire.

From Project Gutenberg