screwworm

[ skroo-wurm ]

noun
  1. the larva of any of certain flies of the genus Callitroga, which sometimes infests wounds and the nose and navel of domestic animals and humans.

Origin of screwworm

1
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; screw + worm

Words Nearby screwworm

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

British Dictionary definitions for screwworm

screwworm

/ (ˈskruːˌwɜːm) /


noun
  1. the larva of a dipterous fly, Callitroga macellaria, that develops beneath the skin of living mammals often causing illness or death

  2. the fly producing this larva: family Calliphoridae

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