SILKWORM

silkworm

(noun) the commercially bred hairless white caterpillar of the domestic silkworm moth which spins a cocoon that can be processed to yield silk fiber; the principal source of commercial silk

silkworm, giant silkworm, wild wilkworm

(noun) larva of a saturniid moth; spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

silkworm (plural silkworms)

Any of various caterpillars of moths that produce silk cocoons, especially Bombyx mori, the source of most commercial silk.

Source: Wiktionary

Silk"worm`, n. Etym: [AS. seolcwyrm.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon before changing to a pupa.

Note: The common species (Bombyx mori) feeds onm the leaves of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but has long been introduced into other countries of Asia and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus silkworm (Philosamia cynthia) is a much larger species, of considerable importance, which has been introduced into Europe and America from China. The most useful American species is the Polyphemus. See Polyphemus. Pernyi silkworm, the larva of the Pernyi moth. See Pernyi moth.

– Silkworm gut, a substance prepared from the contents of the silk glands of silkworms and used in making lines for angling. See Gut.

– Silkworm rot, a disease of silkworms; muscardine.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition