vermiculation

2 definitions found

vermiculation - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vermiculation \Ver*mic`u*la"tion\, n. [L. vermiculatio a being
     worm-eaten.]
     1. The act or operation of moving in the manner of a worm;
        continuation of motion from one part to another; as, the
        vermiculation, or peristaltic motion, of the intestines.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The act of vermiculating, or forming or inlaying so as to
        resemble the motion, track, or work of a worm.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Penetration by worms; the state of being wormeaten.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Zool.) A very fine wavy crosswise color marking, or a
        patch of such markings, as on the feathers of birds.
        [1913 Webster]

vermiculation - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  vermiculation
      n 1: the process of wavelike muscle contractions of the
           alimentary tract that moves food along [syn: peristalsis,
           vermiculation] [ant: anastalsis]
      2: a decoration consisting of wormlike carvings