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Webster 1913 Edition

Glowworm

Glow′wormˊ

,
Noun.
(Zool.)
A coleopterous insect of the genus
Lampyris
; esp., the wingless females and larvæ of the two European species (
L. noctiluca
, and
L. splendidula
), which emit light from some of the abdominal segments.
Like a
glowworm
in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light.
Shakespeare
☞ The male is winged, and is supposed to be attracted by the light of the female. In America, the luminous larvæ of several species of fireflies and fire beetles are called glowworms. Both sexes of these are winged when mature. See
Firefly
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Glowworm

GLOWWORM

,
Noun.
The female of the Lampyris noctiluca, an insect of the order of Coleopters. It is without wings and resembles a caterpillar. It emits a shining green light from the extremity of the abdomen. The male is winged and flies about in the evening, when it is attracted by the light of the female.

Definition 2024

glowworm

glowworm

See also: glow-worm

English

A glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca)

Alternative forms

Noun

glowworm ‎(plural glowworms)

  1. The larva or wingless grub-like female of a beetle from the families Phengodidae or Lampyridae that gives out a green light from its abdomen.
    • 1623, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Act1, Scene 5, 1794, Edmond Malone, Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, Alexander Pope (editors), The Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare, Volume 14, page 222,
      The glow-worm ſhews the Matin to be near, / And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire: / Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me.

Translations

See also

Etymology

From glow +‎ worm.

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