Obs. [Back-formation from next.]
1. trans. To eat into by, or as by, worms.
1598. Florio, Tarmare, to mothe-eate or worme-eate.
1653. Chisenhale, Catholike Hist., 109. Should the gnawing rusty teeth of time worm-eat and rase all his Records.
1663. Head, Hic & Ubique, II. i. 20. Let ’em rot with their cares And worldly affairs, And worm-eat their souls with their treasures.
a. 1739. Jarvis, Don Quix., II. IV. x. Leave off these vanities, which worm-eat your brain.
2. intr. To undergo being worm-eaten.
1641. Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 125. That they bee readedeale, which are allmost as durable as oake, and will not worme-eate so soone as white deale.
