inchworm

Noun
Synonyms: measuring wormlooper

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. small hairless caterpillar having legs on only its front and rear segments; mostly larvae of moths of the family GeometridaeSynonyms: measuring wormlooper
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Inchworm \Inch"worm`\, n. (Zool.) The larva of any geometrid moth. It progresses forward by first bringing the rear end of the body forward, forming a loop, then moving the front part of the body; called also measuring worm, measuringworm, spanner, and looper. See Geometrid. [1913 Webster]
Dropworm \Drop"worm`\ (dr[o^]p"w[^u]rm`), n. (Zool.) The larva of any geometrid moth, which drops from trees by means of a thread of silk, as the cankerworm or inchworm. See inchworm and geometrid. [1913 Webster]
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