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vermicular: msg#00008

culture.language.word-of-the-day

Subject: vermicular

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The Word of the Day for April 9 is:

vermicular \ver-MIK-yuh-ler\ adjective
1 *a : resembling a worm in form or motion b : marked with
irregular fine lines or with wavy impressed lines
2 : of, relating to, or caused by worms

Example sentence:
"[The painting] 'Evening' shows what was likely a
meandering stream that in Criss's treatment is less vermicular
than just plain geometric." (Susan Lindt, _Intelligencer
Journal_ [Lancaster, PA], July 3, 2003)

Did you know?
What does the word "vermicular" have in common with the
pasta on your plate? If you're eating vermicelli (a spaghetti-
like pasta made in long thin strings) the answer is "vermis," a
Latin noun meaning "worm." If you dig deep enough, you'll find
that "vermis" is the root underlying not only "vermicular"
and "vermicelli," but also "vermiculate" (which can mean
either "full of worms" or "tortuous") and even "worm" itself.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.






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