hellgrammite

[ hel-gruh-mahyt ]

noun
  1. the aquatic larva of a dobsonfly, used as bait in fishing.

Origin of hellgrammite

1
An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; origin uncertain

Words Nearby hellgrammite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hellgrammite in a sentence

  • When the dobson is full grown, it is called a hellgrammite fly or horned corydalis.

  • They bring us our chow and say it is angleworm and hellgrammite porridge as that is what the Subterro denizens live on mostly.

    Operation Earthworm | Joe Archibald

British Dictionary definitions for hellgrammite

hellgrammite

/ (ˈhɛlɡrəˌmaɪt) /


noun
  1. US the larva of the dobsonfly, about 10 cm long with biting mouthparts: used as bait for bass: Also called: dobson

Origin of hellgrammite

1
C19: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012