worm

worm1 [ wɜrm ] noun *

1. ) count a creature with a long soft body and no bones or legs

a ) count an insect that looks like a worm

b ) worms plural small creatures that look like worms and live inside the body of a person or animal and make them sick

2. ) singular INFORMAL an insulting word for someone who is weak or dishonest

3. ) count COMPUTING a program that is designed to damage computer systems by making copies of itself and preventing the computer from working correctly

the worm turns MAINLY LITERARY

used for saying that someone who has been treated badly for a long time suddenly stops accepting this situation and becomes stronger

=> CAN 2

worm

worm 2 [ wɜrm ] verb transitive

to give an animal medication in order to get rid of worms

worm your way into something

to reach a particular place or situation gradually, often using clever methods:

She was confident she could worm her way into their affections.

worm (your way) into/through/past etc. something

to move slowly and with difficulty in a crowded area:

She wormed her way through the crowd to the reception desk.

worm your way out of (doing) something

to avoid doing something by making excuses or giving clever reasons:

How does my brother always manage to worm his way out of washing the dishes?

,worm `out of phrasal verb transitive

worm something out of someone to gradually get information from someone who does not want to give it to you:

I eventually managed to worm a few details out of him.