worm snake

worm snake
1. any of several small, wormlike snakes, esp. Carphophis amoenus, of the eastern and central U.S.
2. See blind snake.
[1880-85, Amer.]

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 any of various harmless burrowing snakes of wormlike appearance. This name is often given to blind snakes of the family Typhlopidae. The American worm snake (Carphophis amoena), of the eastern United States, of the family Colubridae, is brown or blackish, with a pink belly. Adults usually are less than 25 cm (10 inches) long. The Oriental worm snakes of the genus Trachischium resemble the American species.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Worm snake — Worm Worm (w[^u]rm), n. [OE. worm, wurm, AS. wyrm; akin to D. worm, OS. & G. wurm, Icel. ormr, Sw. & Dan. orm, Goth. wa[ u]rms, L. vermis, Gr. ? a wood worm. Cf. {Vermicelli}, {Vermilion}, {Vermin}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A creeping or a crawling… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Worm snake — is the common name sometimes given to several of snakes. They share the characteristics of small size, primarily subterranean habitat, non functioning or small eyes, and varying resemblance to earthworms. Many are also known as Blind snakes, the… …   Wikipedia

  • worm snake — worm′ snake n. ram any of several small, wormlike snakes, esp. Carphophis amoenus, of the E and central U.S • Etymology: 1880–85, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • worm snake — n. any of a superfamily (Typhlopoidea) of wormlike, nonpoisonous snakes with vestigial eyes …   English World dictionary

  • worm snake — noun 1. wormlike burrowing snake of warm regions having vestigial eyes • Syn: ↑blind snake • Hypernyms: ↑snake, ↑serpent, ↑ophidian • Hyponyms: ↑western blind snake, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • worm snake — Thunder Thun der, n. [OE. [thorn]under, [thorn]onder, [thorn]oner, AS. [thorn]unor; akin to [thorn]unian to stretch, to thunder, D. donder thunder, G. donner, OHG. donar, Icel. [thorn][=o]rr Thor, L. tonare to thunder, tonitrus thunder, Gr. to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • worm snake — noun Date: 1885 a small terrestrial colubrid snake (Carphophis amoenus) of the eastern United States that is dark above and pinkish red below …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • worm snake — /ˈwɜm sneɪk/ (say werm snayk) noun → blind snake …  

  • Montiserrat Worm Snake — Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia …   Wikipedia

  • Worm — (w[^u]rm), n. [OE. worm, wurm, AS. wyrm; akin to D. worm, OS. & G. wurm, Icel. ormr, Sw. & Dan. orm, Goth. wa[ u]rms, L. vermis, Gr. ? a wood worm. Cf. {Vermicelli}, {Vermilion}, {Vermin}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A creeping or a crawling animal of any …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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