teredo
Syllabification: (te·re·do)
Pronunciation: /təˈrēdō/
Definition of teredo
noun
- a wormlike bivalve mollusk with reduced shells that it uses to drill into wood. It can cause substantial damage to wooden structures and vessels. Also called shipworm.
- Genus Teredo, family Teredinidae: several species, in particular T. navalis
Origin:
late Middle English: via Latin from Greek terēdōn; related to teirein 'rub hard, wear away'