Etymology

redworm

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Today it means: A type of small, reddish earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, used as bait in angling; also, in later use, the brandling, Eisenia foetida. Full definition →

First used 15th c.
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The story

From red + worm.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 15th c. A type of small, reddish earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, used as bait in angling; also, in later use, the brandling, Eisenia foetida.
  • from 19th c. A parasitic worm of the family Strongylidae, which causes anaemia in many vertebrates.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.