[f. WORM v. + -ING2.] Winding, twisting; fig. working or advancing insidiously or tortuously.
1626. B. Jonson, Staple of Newes, V. ii. I ha’ you in a purse-net Good Master Picklocke, wi’ your worming braine, And wrigling ingine-head of maintenance.
1650. Fuller, Pisgah, III. v. 369. But Saint Hierome will have them [sc. windows] lattised, Lignis interrasilibus, et vermiculatis, with worming or winding splinters of shaved wood.
a. 1764. Lloyd, Charity, Poet. Wks. 1774, II. 156. Your sly, sneaking, worming souls, Whom Friendship scorns, and Fear controuls.
1835. W. G. Simms, Yemassee, i. 14 (Funk). Around the fields the negro piles slowly the worming and ungraceful fence.
