: a nematode worm (Syngamus trachea) that causes gapes (see gapeentry 2 sense 4) in birds
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebHe and other rehabbers are overloaded with waterfowl riddled with gapeworm, a parasite that lives and breeds in a bird’s trachea and causes it to gasp or shake its head.New York Times, 20 July 2021
Word History
Etymology
gape entry 2 + worm entry 1
First Known Use
1873, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
gapeworm
noun
gape·worm ˈgāp-ˌwərm
: a nematode worm of the genus Syngamus (S. trachea) that causes gapes of birds