A small parasitic nematode worm that resembles an eel and infects plants or animals, causing disease.
From Old English 'ael' (eel) combined with 'worm.' The term dates to at least the 16th century when farmers observed these tiny worm-like creatures damaging crops and livestock.
Eelworms are so tiny—some species are invisible to the naked eye—yet they cause billions of dollars in crop damage worldwide. Farmers in the 1600s had no idea what was destroying their potatoes until microscopes revealed these microscopic menaces!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.