worm

n 1: any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied

animals especially of the phyla Annelida and

Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and

Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae

2: has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect

[syn: {louse}, {insect}, {dirt ball}]

3: threads gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or rack

v 1: move with slow, sinuous movements [syn: {wreathe}]

2: to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (esp. when

struggling); "The prisoner writhed in discomfort." "The

child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace."

[syn: {writhe}, {wrestle}, {wriggle}, {squirm}, {twist}]

worm

(From "Tapeworm" in John Brunner's

novel "The Shockwave Rider", via {XEROX PARC}) A program that

propagates itself over a network, reproducing itself as it

goes. Compare {virus}. Nowadays the term has negative

connotations, as it is assumed that only {crackers} write

worms.

Perhaps the best-known example was the {Great Worm}.

Compare {Trojan horse}.

[{Jargon File}]

(1996-09-17)