gun worm

noun

A corkscrew-like device used to remove unspent charges from the barrel of a musket.

Similar
spiral wormwad hookpacking worm
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Meanings

noungun worm (plural gun worms)

plural gun worms · alternative gun-worm · alternative gunworm

  1. historicalA corkscrew-like device used to remove unspent charges from the barrel of a musket.

    Synonyms: spiral worm, wad hook, packing worm

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA corkscrew-like device used to remove unspent charges from the barrel of a musket.

Similar
spiral wormwad hookpacking worm
Also see
wad hook

Origin

From its worm-like shape.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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