Bruce spanworm

noun

ˈbrüs-

variants or less commonly Bruce's spanworm

ˈbrüsə̇z-

: a spanworm (Operophtera bruceata) that feeds in early spring on the foliage of deciduous trees in the northeastern U.S. and southern Canada

Word History

Etymology

probably after William S. Bruce †1921 British explorer and naturalist

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!