measuringworm
[
mezh
-er-ing-wurm]
/ˈmɛʒ ər ɪŋˌwɜrm/
noun
1.
the larva of any geometrid moth, which progresses by bringing the rear end of the body forward and then advancing the front end.
Also,
measuring worm
.
Also called
inchworm
,
looper
,
spanworm
.
Origin
1835-45,
Americanism;
measuring
+
worm