\Ver"mes\, n. pl. [L. vermes, pl. of vermis a worm.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) An extensive artificial division of the animal kingdom,
    including the parasitic worms, or helminths, together
    with the nemerteans, annelids, and allied groups. By some
    writers the branchiopods, the bryzoans, and the tunicates
    are also included. The name was used in a still wider
    sense by Linn[ae]us and his followers.
(b) A more restricted group, comprising only the helminths
    and closely allied orders.