σκώληξ [1 verse]( noun sg masc nom ) "Worm" is from skolex, which means "worm," specifically, "earthworm", "grub", "larvae," and "worms in dung, decaying matter and trees and wood." The Hebrew word is tôlāʿ(תּוֹלָע), which specifically describes a female worm that is the source of scarlet die, whose final act is to attach itself permanently to a tree to protect the eggs under it.