vermiculate
Verb · AdjectiveOpen English WordNet
Adjective (2)
- infested with or damaged (as if eaten) by wormsSynonyms: worm-eatenwormyOpposite newSimilar worn
- decorated with wormlike tracery or markings“vermicular (or vermiculated) stonework”Synonyms: vermicularvermiculatedOpposite plainSimilar fancy
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Ver·mic′u·late transitive verb [past tense & past participle Vermiculated; present participle & verbal noun Vermiculating.]
Origin: L. vermiculatus inlaid so as to resemble the tracks of worms, p. p. of vermiculari to be full of worms, vermiculus a little worm. See Vermicular.
To form or work, as by inlaying, with irregular lines or impressions resembling the tracks of worms, or appearing as if formed by the motion of worms.
Ver·mic′u·late adjective
1. Wormlike in shape; covered with wormlike elevations; marked with irregular fine lines of color, or with irregular wavy impressed lines like worm tracks; as, a vermiculate nut.
2. Crawling or creeping like a worm; hence, insinuating; sophistical. “Vermiculate questions.” Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon “Vermiculate logic.” Rufus Choate
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54