glowworm

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the luminous larva or wingless adult female of certain beetles, especially members of the family Lampyridae

   A glowworm shone green beneath the leaves beside the path.

2. 2
   noun

   a luminous fungus-gnat larva, especially of the genus Arachnocampa, that hangs sticky threads to catch insects

   Hundreds of glowworms lit the cave ceiling above their hanging threads.

A compound of glow + worm. Worm formerly meant many creeping larvae, not only true annelid worms; the name refers to the animal's larval appearance and visible bioluminescence.

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