caterpillar

¹

[ kat-uh-pil-er, kat-er- ]

noun

1. the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth.
2. a person who preys on others; extortioner.

Caterpillar

²

[ kat-uh-pil-er, kat-er- ]

Trademark.

1. a tractor intended for rough terrain, propelled by two endless belts or tracks that pass over a number of wheels.

Caterpillar

¹

/ ˈkætəˌpɪlə /

noun

1. an endless track, driven by sprockets or wheels, used to propel a heavy vehicle and enable it to cross soft or uneven ground
2. a vehicle, such as a tractor, tank, bulldozer, etc, driven by such tracks

caterpillar

²

/ ˈkætəˌpɪlə /

noun

1. the wormlike larva of butterflies and moths, having numerous pairs of legs and powerful biting jaws. It may be brightly coloured, hairy, or spiny

caterpillar

/ kăt′ər-pĭl′ər /

1. The wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth. Caterpillars have thirteen body segments, with three pairs of stubby legs on the thorax and several on the abdomen, six eyes on each side of the head, and short antennae. Caterpillars feed mostly on foliage and are usually brightly colored. Many have poisonous spines.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caterpillar¹

1400–50; late Middle English catyrpel, probably alteration of an Old North French variant of Old French chatepelose, equivalent to chate cat ( def ) + pelose hairy (≪ Latin pilōsus; pilose ); -yr probably by association with cater tomcat ( caterwaul ); final -er probably by association with piller despoiler ( pillage, -er ¹ ); chenille

Word History and Origins

Origin of caterpillar¹

C15 catyrpel, probably from Old Northern French catepelose, literally: hairy cat

Example Sentences

In other incidents, a sound bomb was hurled outside the Caterpillar company store, rattling the neighborhood and leaving a small pothole in the street.

From Seattle Times

Caterpillars respond defensively to electric fields similar to those emitted by their natural predators, scientists at the University of Bristol have found.

From Science Daily

Eric Carle, the author and artist behind “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and dozens of other children’s books, has passed away at the age of 91.

From NewsForKids.net

The Caterpillar & Chicken books lined a low shelf in a cheerful row.

From Literature

The interview was never rescheduled, and the investigation would limp along for another few years before culminating, in late 2022, with a victory for Caterpillar.

From New York Times