maggot

[mag-uht]

noun

1. a soft-bodied, legless larva of certain flies.

2. Archaic.,  an odd fancy; whim.

maggot

/ ˈmæɡət /

noun

1. the soft limbless larva of dipterous insects, esp the housefly and blowfly, occurring in decaying organic matter

2. rare,  a fancy or whim

Word History and Origins

Origin of maggot¹

1425–75; late Middle English magot, magat, unexplained variant of maddock, Middle English mathek < Old Norse mathkr; akin to Danish maddik maggot, Old English matha, mathu grub, maggot, Old High German mado maggot

Word History and Origins

Origin of maggot¹

C14: from earlier mathek; related to Old Norse mathkr worm, Old English matha, Old High German mado grub

Example Sentences

He also said: "I wanna kill so badly, watching pathetic maggots die arouses me."

From BBC

The eggs hatch into maggots which burrow into the wound or the membrane, feeding on the living flesh.

From BBC

NWS myiasis is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae, or maggots, caused by parasitic flies.

From BBC

The inmates at the camp in Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve say they face days without showers, extreme temperatures, lack of water and maggots in their food.

From Salon

Most people are inclined to shoo flies away from food, and the thought of maggots in your bins is enough to make anyone's stomach turn.

From BBC

Related Words

• grub 
• worm