1. A worm that lives in the ground, esp. an individual of the genus Lumbricus.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Lombriz, an easse, an earth worme, lumbricus.
1594. ? Greene, Selinus, Wks. 1881–3, XIV. 220. We, like earth wormes lurking in the weeds, Do liue inglorious in all mens eyes.
1718. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 148. Earth-Worms, are often us’d in compositions for cooling and cleansing the Viscera.
1855. Owen, Comp. Anat. Invertebr. (ed. 2), xi. 228. The second order [of annelids] … includes the earth-worms.
2. fig. a. As a disparaging designation for a human being, esp. a mean or grovelling person. b. With allusion to the ‘worm’ in the grave.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. Ep. Ded. 2. This generation of Earth-wormes, which place nature being but a creature in the roome of the Creatour.
1625. Burges, Pers. Tithes, 39. The Couetous Earth-worme would laugh in his sleeue to see his elbow vnderlaid with such a Cushion.
1684. Charnock, Attrib. God (1834), II. 606. How should such an earth-worm … be afraid to speak irreverently of so great a king?
1869. Goulburn, Purs. Holiness, viii. 13. Apt to be smitten by the earthworm of death.
attrib. 1626. W. Sclater, Expos. 2 Thess. (1629), 22. God so ordering the state of his earth-worme Children.
