1 definition found for Basket worm

Basket Bas"ket, n. [Of unknown origin. The modern Celtic words seem to be from the English.] 1. A vessel made of osiers or other twigs, cane, rushes, splints, or other flexible material, interwoven. ``Rude baskets . . . woven of the flexile willow.'' --Dyer. 2. The contents of a basket; as much as a basket contains; as, a basket of peaches. 3. (Arch.) The bell or vase of the Corinthian capital. [Improperly so used.] --Gwilt. 4. The two back seats facing one another on the outside of a stagecoach. [Eng.] --Goldsmith. Basket fish (Zo["o]l.), an ophiuran of the genus Astrophyton, having the arms much branched. See Astrophyton. Basket hilt, a hilt with a covering wrought like basketwork to protect the hand. --Hudibras. Hence, Baskethilted, a. Basket work, work consisting of plaited osiers or twigs. Basket worm (Zo["o]l.), a lepidopterous insect of the genus Thyridopteryx and allied genera, esp. T. ephemer[ae]formis. The larva makes and carries about a bag or basket-like case of silk and twigs, which it afterwards hangs up to shelter the pupa and wingless adult females.