vermicelli, n. [It., pl. of vermicello, literally, a little worm, dim. of verme a worm, L. vermis. See Worm, and cf. Vermicule, Vermeil.].
The flour of a hard and small-grained wheat made into dough, and forced through small cylinders or pipes till it takes a slender, wormlike form, whence the Italian name. When the paste is made in larger tubes, it is called macaroni. [1913 Webster]