Hairworm

/ˈheə.wɜːm/ noun

Definition

A parasitic worm or any thin, worm-like creature, especially a horsehair worm or similar organism with a hair-like appearance.

Etymology

From 'hair' + 'worm', a descriptive compound. The term describes the appearance of creatures like horsehair worms, which are extremely thin and thread-like, resembling hairs.

Kelly Says

Horsehair worms are genuinely bizarre—they're parasites that mind-control insects, making them jump into water, and they're so thin that medieval people thought they were actually hair!

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