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尺取り虫 (shakutorimushi) Japanese meaning: inchworm | Kotomora
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There was an inchworm on the tree in the garden.
The inchworm moves by arching its body.
Kanji 尺 shaku, Japanese foot, measure Related words 毛け 虫むし 毛虫 is a general term for hairy caterpillars, while 尺取り虫 specifically refers to inchworms with a looping gait.
芋いも 虫むし 芋虫 refers to hairless, often plump caterpillars, not specifically inchworms.
Written forms 尺しゃく 取と り 虫むし
尺しゃく 取とり 虫むし
Variant spelling without okurigana り.
Etymology Formed from 尺取り, the noun form of 尺取る “measure off by successive spans,” and 虫 “insect,” after the caterpillar’s measuring-like looping gait.
