mealworm
UK[ˈmiːlwɜːm]US[ˈmiːlwɜːrm]
n
The larva of a darkling beetle, which is yellow-brown with a segmented body and is often used as food for pet reptiles, birds, and fish.
Morpheme Breakdown
meal
worm
meal
grain/flour
worm
worm-like larva
Etymology
The word 'mealworm' is a transparent Modern English compound, directly combining two native Germanic elements. The first element, 'meal', originates from the Old English word for ground grain, reflecting the insect's common habitat in stored flour and grain products. The second element, 'worm', has a broad ancient meaning in Germanic languages, referring not just to earthworms but to various creeping or larval creatures. The term thus logically names the insect based on its physical resemblance to a worm and its ecological association with processed grain, creating a highly descriptive label for this beetle larva.
Analysis
Structure: meal (grain/flour) + worm (worm-like larva)
meal: From Old English 'melu' (meal, flour), of Germanic origin. In this compound, it refers to ground grain or the foodstuff that the insect was found to infest.
worm: From Old English 'wyrm' (serpent, reptile, insect larva), of Germanic origin. In this compound, it denotes a worm-like creature or larva.
Examples
Mealworms are a nutritious and protein-rich food source for bearded dragons.
The science class observed the mealworm's lifecycle as it transformed into a pupa and then a beetle.
You can buy dried mealworms at the pet store to feed your backyard chickens.