caterpillar

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkatəpɪlə/

noun

  • 1the larva of a butterfly or moth, which has a segmented body resembling a worm with three pairs of true legs and several pairs of leg-like appendages.
  • (in general use) any insect larva resembling the larvae of caterpillars and moths, especially that of the sawfly.
  • 2 (also caterpillar track or tread) trademark an articulated steel band passing round the wheels of a vehicle for travel on rough ground.
  • a vehicle with caterpillar tracks.

Origin:

late Middle English: perhaps from a variant of Old French chatepelose, literally 'hairy cat', influenced by obsolete piller 'ravager'. The association with ‘cat’ is found in other languages, e.g. Swiss German Teufelskatz (literally 'devil's cat'), Lombard gatta (literally 'cat'). Compare with French chaton, English catkin, which resembles a hairy caterpillar

Spelling help

The ending of caterpillar is spelled -ar.