Caterpillar
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Caterpillar is a noun meaning The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
Meaning
The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
More Meanings
- A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.
- (mathematics) A set of subtrees of a tree.
- (intransitive) To move along slowly, drawing one's body up, in the manner of a caterpillar.
- (obsolete) A rapacious, extortionate person preying upon the community.
Example Sentences
The bird just ate that green caterpillar.
Bristow Castle, which they say is held By Busbie, Bagot, and their Complices, The Caterpillers of the Commonwealth, Which I haue sworne to weed, and plucke away.
A caterpillar is letting itself down on a thread, twirling slowly like a rope artist, spiralling towards his chest. It’s a luscious, unreal green, like a gumdrop, and covered with tiny bright hairs.
Word Forms
- caterpillars
- caterpiller
- caterpillaring
- caterpillared
Synonyms for caterpillar
Depending on context, synonyms include cat, tracked.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include cat, tracked, moth, larval, larva, flower.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.