glowwormとは

意味・読み方・使い方

別の表記

• glow-worm

語源

From Middle English glouworm; equivalent to glow +‎ worm.

名詞

glowworm (複数形 glowworms)

1. The larva or wingless grub-like female of a beetle from the families Phengodidae or Lampyridae that gives out a green light from its abdomen.
   • c. 1599–1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene v]:

     The glowworm shows the matin to be near
     And ’gins to pale his uneffectual fire.
     Adieu, adieu, adieu! Remember me.

   • 1604, William Alexander, The Alexandraean Tragedie, Act V, Scene 2, in The Monarchicke Tragedies, London: Ed. Blount, 1607,^[1]

     Some things afarre doe like the Glow-worme shine,

     That lookt to neere haue of that light no signe.

   • c. 1613, John Webster, The Duchess of Malfi, London: John Waterson, 1623, Act IV, Scene 2,^[2]

     Glories (like glowe-wormes) a farre off, shine bright,

     But look’d to neere, haue neither heate, nor light.

   • 1681, Andrew Marvell, “The Mower to the Glo-Worms” in Miscellaneous Poems, London: Robert Boulter, p. 44,^[3]

     Ye Glo-worms, whose officious Flame

     To wandring Mowers shows the way,

     That in the Night have lost their aim,

     And after foolish Fires do stray;

   • 1819, William Wordsworth, “The Waggoner” Canto 1, in The Miscellaneous Poems of William Wordsworth, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, 1820, p. 7,^[4]

     Confiding Glow-worms, ’tis a night

     Propitious to your earth-born light!

   • 1954, Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood, New York: New Directions, p. 1,^[5]

     Young girls lie bedded soft or glide in their dreams, with rings and trousseaux, bridesmaided by glowworms down the aisles of the organplaying wood.

2. (Australia, New Zealand) A carnivorous gnat larva in the keroplatid genus Arachnocampa that spins threads to capture insects attracted by its glow.