Maggot

Pronunciation: /ˈmæɡət/

Definitions of maggot

noun a term of contempt for a cowardly or unscrupulous person

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a maggot crawling on the ground.

A2 The maggot turned into a fly after a few days.

B1 Maggots are often used in composting to break down organic matter.

B2 The sight of maggots in the garbage can was enough to make me gag.

C1 Scientists study the behavior of maggots to better understand decomposition processes.

C2 The forensic entomologist identified the species of maggot found on the body.

Examples of maggot in a Sentence

formal The decomposing body was infested with maggots.

informal Eww, there's a maggot crawling on the floor!

slang I can't believe that maggot stole my lunch from the fridge.

figurative He's such a maggot, always looking for ways to take advantage of others.

Grammatical Forms of maggot

• plural: maggots
• comparative: more maggot
• superlative: most maggot
• present tense: maggot
• future tense: will maggot
• perfect tense: have maggot
• continuous tense: am maggotting
• singular: maggot
• positive degree: maggot
• infinitive: to maggot
• gerund: maggoting
• participle: maggoted

Origin and Evolution of maggot

First Known Use: 1300 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'maggot' is derived from the Middle English word 'maggot' which meant a whimsical fancy or a whim. It evolved from the Old Norse word 'mǫggr' meaning a kind of short-haired caterpillar.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'maggot' shifted from whimsical fancy to refer specifically to the larva of a fly, due to the association of maggots with decaying matter and decomposition.