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

Monarchs must have milkweed to reproduce — it’s the only food the young caterpillars eat — so it’s little wonder that Anaya’s yard looks like a Disney movie of dancing butterflies.

From Los Angeles Times

The adult male poses obligingly as Graeme snaps away, then moments later we see a juvenile with a caterpillar hanging from its mouth that delights Graeme even more.

From BBC

Each summer, wasps in the UK capture about 14 million kilogrammes of insects such as caterpillars and greenfly, making them important friends to gardeners.

From BBC

A nectar source can also act as a feed for caterpillars.

From BBC

In fact, they discovered, this particular sequence of movements — curl up, jump, finish with a belly flop — is not unusual among other worm-shaped organisms that jump, including caterpillars and fly larvae.

From New York Times