JOINTWORM

strawworm, jointworm

(noun) larva of chalcid flies injurious to the straw of wheat and other grains

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

jointworm (plural jointworms)

The larva of a hymenopterous fly, Tetramesa tritici, found in gall-like swellings on wheatstalks, usually around the first joint.

Source: Wiktionary


Joint"worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The larva of a small, hymenopterous fly (Eurytoma hordei), which is found in gall-like swellings on the stalks of wheat, usually at or just above the first joint. In some parts of America it does great damage to the crop.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 May 2025

THOUGHTFULLY

(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”


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Coffee Trivia

The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.

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