roundworm

[ round-wurm ]

noun

1. any nematode, especially Ascaris lumbricoides, that infests the intestine of humans and other mammals.

roundworm

/ ˈraʊndˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any nematode worm, esp Ascaris lumbricoides , a common intestinal parasite of man and pigs

Word History and Origins

Origin of roundworm¹

First recorded in 1555–65; round ¹ + worm

Example Sentences

The cancer-seeking worm in question is the common roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans.

From Science News For Students

In 2008, David Raizen and his colleagues even reported sleep in Caenorhabditis elegans, the roundworm widely used as a model organism in biology laboratories.

From Quanta Magazine

His roundworm research on how meat could be a vector for Trichinosis helped spawn the concept of meat inspection.

From Nautilus