Vermiculation

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  vermiculation
       n 1: the process of wave-like muscle contractions of the
            alimentary tract that moves food along [syn: {peristalsis}]
            [ant: {anastalsis}]
       2: a decoration consisting of wormlike carvings