caterpillar
[ kat-uh-pil-er, kat-er- ]
/ ˈkæt əˌpɪl ər, ˈkæt ər- /
noun
the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth.
a person who preys on others; extortioner.
Origin of caterpillar
1400–50; late Middle English
catyrpel, probably alteration of an Old North French variant of Old French
chatepelose, equivalent to
chate
cat +
pelose hairy (≪ Latin
pilōsus; see
pilose);
-yr probably by association with
cater tomcat (see
caterwaul); final
-er probably by association with
piller despoiler (see
pillage,
-er1); cf.
chenille
Words nearby caterpillar
cater-cousin,
cateran,
caterer,
caterina,
catering,
caterpillar,
caterpillar flap,
caterpillar hunter,
caterwaul,
cates,
catesby
Definition for caterpillar (2 of 2)
Caterpillar
[ kat-uh-pil-er, kat-er- ]
/ ˈkæt əˌpɪl ər, ˈkæt ər- /
Trademark.
a tractor intended for rough terrain, propelled by two endless belts or tracks that pass over a number of wheels.
Example sentences from the Web for caterpillar
British Dictionary definitions for caterpillar (1 of 2)
caterpillar
/ (ˈkætəˌpɪlə) /
noun
the wormlike larva of butterflies and moths, having numerous pairs of legs and powerful biting jaws. It may be brightly coloured, hairy, or spiny
Word Origin for caterpillar
C15
catyrpel, probably from Old Northern French
catepelose, literally: hairy cat
British Dictionary definitions for caterpillar (2 of 2)
Caterpillar
/ (ˈkætəˌpɪlə) /
noun trademark
an endless track, driven by sprockets or wheels, used to propel a heavy vehicle and enable it to cross soft or uneven ground
a vehicle, such as a tractor, tank, bulldozer, etc, driven by such tracks
Scientific definitions for caterpillar
caterpillar
[ kăt′ər-pĭl′ər ]
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.