earthworm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun terrestrial worm that burrows into and helps aerate soil; often surfaces when the ground is cool or wet; used as bait by anglers
    angleworm; dew worm; fishworm; wiggler; nightwalker; fishing worm; red worm; nightcrawler; crawler.

WordNet

Earth"worm` noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any worm of the genus Lumbricus and allied genera, found in damp soil. One of the largest and most abundant species in Europe and America is L. terrestris; many others are known; -- called also angleworm and dewworm.
  2. A mean, sordid person; a niggard. Norris.

Webster 1913