glowworm
[
gloh
-wurm]
/ˈgloʊˌwɜrm/
noun
1.
the wingless female or larva of the European beetle,
Lampyris noctiluca,
which emits a sustained greenish light.
2.
any of various other beetle larvae or wingless females that emit a glow rather than a flash of light.
Origin
1300-50;
Middle English. See
glow
,
worm
British Dictionary definitions for
glow-worm
glow-worm
noun
1.
a European beetle,
Lampyris noctiluca,
the females and larvae of which bear luminescent organs producing a greenish light: family
Lampyridae
2.
any of various other beetles or larvae of the family
Lampyridae
See also
firefly
(sense 1)
Word Origin and History for
glow-worm
n.
early 14c., from
glow
(v.) +
worm
(n.).