spoonworm

[ spoon-wurm ]

noun

1. any of various unsegmented, burrowing marine worms of the phylum Echiura, of shallow waters worldwide, having a sausage-shaped body and a flattened head.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoonworm¹

First recorded in 1835–45; spoon + worm

Example Sentences

New bivalve species and sideswimmer have been found to live communally with the greenish Bonellia spoonworm.

From Science Daily

In response, biologist Ivan Parr explained that the worms, formally called Urechis caupo, are a species of marine spoonworm that live between southern Oregon and Baja California.

From Los Angeles Times