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slow·worm

(slōwûrm′)

A limbless lizard (Anguis fragilis) of Europe and western Asia, having a smooth snakelike body and feeding chiefly on slugs. Also called blindworm.

[Alteration (influenced by SLOW) of Middle English slowurm, from Old English slāwyrm : slā-, earthworm, slowworm + wyrm, worm; see WORM.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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