| 释义 |
ˈpalmer-ˌworm
[f. palmer n.1 2 + worm n.: see quot. 1608.]
Name for various hairy caterpillars destructive to vegetation; in North America, the larva of a tineid moth, Ypsilophus pometellus, destructive to apple-leaves.
In O.T. rendering Heb. gāzām, prob. a kind of locust.
1560Bible (Geneva) Joel i. 4 That which is left of the palmer worme, hathe the grashopper eaten. 1608Topsell Serpents (1658) 667 There is another sort of these Caterpillers, who have no certain place of abode, nor yet cannot tell where to finde their food, but like unto superstitious Pilgrims, do wander and stray hither and thither,..these have purchased a very apt name amongst us Englishmen, to be called Palmer-worms, by reason of their wandering and roguish life, (for they never stay in one place, but are ever wandering). 1660Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. Digress. 377 One of those hairy wormes that resemble caterpillars, and are wont to be call'd Palmer-wormes. 1668New Eng. Hist. & Gen. Reg. (1880) XXXIV. 298 It pleased God to restrain the Palmer worm amongst vs in y⊇ Bay and to spare our fruit trees. a1817T. Dwight Trav. New Eng. etc. (1821) II. 400 The palmer-worm, were it to appear annually, would, within a few years, empty New-England of its inhabitants. 1880Boy's own Bk. 265 The palmer-worm, woolbed, or canker is found on herbs, plants, and trees. |