squirms

Squirms is the third-person singular present tense of the verb squirm. Squirm means to twist, wriggle, or jerk the body from side to side, often in response to discomfort, effort, fear, or restlessness. The motion is typically irregular and involves the trunk or limbs. The noun form squirming denotes the act of performing such movements; “a squirm” is rare but used to describe a single instance of squirming.

Etymology and usage: The verb squirm dates from the late 17th century in English; its exact origins are uncertain, and it may be an imitative or onomatopoeic formation. In common usage, squirming describes physical movement by people or animals, as in “the child squirmed in line” or “the worm squirmed through the soil.” It can also express psychological discomfort, as in “he squirmed at the question” or “the audience squirmed with embarrassment.”

Biology and behavior: In living organisms, squirming can serve locomotion or escape in confined spaces. For soft-bodied creatures such as worms, squirming is a primary mode of movement. In humans and animals, squirming may indicate discomfort, anxiety, fatigue, or irritability, and can be voluntary or involuntary depending on context.

Relation to related terms: Squirming is related to wriggling, writhing, and twisting. Differences lie in nuances: squirming often implies discomfort or resistance; wriggling emphasizes zigzag movement; twisting highlights rotation around an axis.