Definition of 'caterpillar'

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caterpillar

(kætərpɪlər

)

Word forms: plural caterpillars

countable noun

A caterpillar is a small, worm-like animal that feeds on plants and eventually develops into a butterfly or moth.

Image of
caterpillar

caterpillar in American English

(ˈkætərˌpɪlər , ˈkætəˌpɪlər )

nounOrigin: ME catirpel < NormFr catepilose (OFr chatepelose), lit., hairy cat < L catta, cat1 + pilosus < pilus, hair: see pile2

the wormlike larva of various insects, esp. of a butterfly or moth

US (C-) trademark

a tractor equipped on each side with a continuous roller belt over cogged wheels, for moving over rough or muddy ground

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caterpillar in American English

(ˈkætəˌpɪlər, ˈkætər-)

noun

the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth

a person who preys on others; extortioner

Word origin

[1400–50; late ME catyrpel, prob. alter. of an ONF var. of OF chatepelose, equiv. to chate cat1 + pelose hairy (‹‹ L pilōsus; see pilose); -yr prob. by assoc. with cater tomcat ( see caterwaul); final -er prob. by assoc. with piller despoiler ( see pillage, -er1); cf. chenille]

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Caterpillar in American English

(ˈkætəˌpɪlər, ˈkætər-)

noun

trademark

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

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caterpillar in British English

(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

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

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Caterpillar in British English

(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

Examples of 'caterpillar' in a sentence
caterpillar

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They are expanding the grassy areas treated by the insecticide to take out more caterpillars and lower wasp activity even further.The only plant Monarch caterpillars eat?But caterpillars are crop pests.He bred his from eggs and caterpillars.We find redwoods communicating through underground networks and cress plants listening to munching caterpillars.They spoke of tea and other such matters of consequence and shook their heads at the caterpillar of caravans advancing up the valley. SAVE OUR SCHOOLS, the caterpillar chanted, swaying, growing, full of life.How Siena's divided into districts and each has its special name for the race: eagle district, giraffe, caterpillar, goose.