blindworm

noun

Meaning

Anguis fragilis (slowworm), a small species of legless lizard.

Examples

[…] we haue a blind worme to be found vnder logs in woods, and timber that hath lien long in a place, which some also doo call (and vpon better ground) by the name of [s]low worms, and they are knowen easilie by their more or lesse varietie of striped colours, drawen long waies from their heads, their whole bodies little excéeding a foot in length, & yet is there venem deadlie.
You spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong, Come not near our fairy queen.
"But I'll give you a bit of advice! Take a blindworm - I'll find you one - and ram it into the barrel of your gun and then fire it, after that you may try what powder and shot will do."

Word Forms

blindworms

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English blynde worme, equivalent to blind + worm due to its very small eyes. Cognate with Swedish blindorm, blindödla.

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