A worm that feeds on flesh. Also (see quot. 1884.)
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 124. Wiþ flæsc wyrmum ȝenim monnes suran [etc.].
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., II. 19/2. Nits, fleshwormes, bees, butterflies, [etc.].
1586. J. Hooker, Girald. Irel., in Holinshed, II. 91/1. I shall be able like a fleshworme to itch the bodie of his kingdome, and force him to scratch deeply before he be able to pick me out of my seam.
1795. Southey, Vis. Maid of Orleans, I. 136.
| Where thou seest the pamper’d flesh-worm trail, | |
| Once the white bosom heaved. |
1884. Syd. Soc. Lex., Flesh worm, the Trichina spiralis.
b. transf. A carnally minded person.
1565. Harding, in Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 317. What made so many malapert Prentices, pleasant Courtiers, discoursing Parliament Machiauellists, and al other whatsoeuer fleshwormes, Merchants, idle artificers, to embrace your Gospel?
