velvet worm
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9.8
- noun
- /ˈvɛlvɪt wɜrm/
- Specialized
- A velvet worm was discovered crawling across the rainforest floor during the expedition.
- legs of the velvet worm
Examples
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Some scientists study velvet worms to learn about evolution and ancient animal lineages.
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The velvet worm is fascinating for its unusual way of catching prey with a sticky slime.
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The velvet worm can be found in the rainforests of Madagascar.
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Did you know that a velvet worm can regenerate its lost limbs?
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The velvet worm uses its velvety skin to blend in with the forest floor.
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In the jungle, we spotted a velvet worm crawling slowly over the leaves.
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Scientists are studying the unique features of the velvet worm to understand its evolution.
Synonyms
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1.0
A small soft animal without legs that lives in soil or water
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9.9
A small worm-like animal with soft skin and many short legs that eats insects
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9.9
Small wormlike animals called velvet worms that live in warm, damp places
A soft, wormlike animal with many short legs found in wet tropical forests
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is an endocentric compound where 'velvet' modifies 'worm' to indicate a worm with velvety (soft, smooth) skin; the basic meaning is directly derivable from the constituents. A B1 learner who knows 'velvet' and 'worm' can reasonably infer it refers to a worm-like animal with velvety skin, even if they would not know the specific biological details.
Etymology
The name velvet worm comes from the animal's look: it is shaped like a worm and has soft skin like velvet. That's why the name means 'a small animal that looks like a worm and has velvet-like skin'.