Gordian worm

noun

A horsehair worm (Nematomorpha) that fatally parasitizes insects and crustacea in its larval stage.

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Meanings

nounGordian worm (plural Gordian worms)

plural Gordian worms

  1. A horsehair worm (Nematomorpha) that fatally parasitizes insects and crustacea in its larval stage.

Origin

Because it sometimes ties itself into a knot; see Gordian knot.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Māori engaio, ngaio
  • engaioa parasitic worm infesting crustaceons etc
  • ngaioa parasitic worm infesting crustaceons etc
Polish nitnikowiec, nitkowiec
  • nitnikowieca parasitic worm infesting crustaceons etc
  • nitkowieca parasitic worm infesting crustaceons etc
  • drucienieca parasitic worm infesting crustaceons etc
Cite this entry
APA

Gordian worm. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gordian%20worm

MLA

“Gordian worm.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gordian%20worm. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Gordian worm,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Gordian%20worm.

Source: Gordian worm on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.