Obs. [Cf. CHESLOCK.] A pill millipede, or wood-louse. It is doubtful whether quot. 1639 is a fig. use of this, or a distinct compound, meaning ‘worm within the chest or breast.’
1544. Phaër, Regim. Lyfe (1560), B iv. Also the chestwormes that are founde betwene the barkes of trees, whych wyll tourne themselves together like a beade when they be touched.
a. 1639. S. Ward, Serm., 60 (D.). Universal tortures … of which the pangs of childbirth … gnawings of chest-worms, drinks of gall and wormwood, are but shadows. Ibid., 98 (D.). The … reproofs of it [conscience] … gnawing more than any chest-worm, tormenting worse than hot pincers.
