Definition of caterpillar Caterpillar

/kæˈtʌpɪˌlɚ/ - [katupiler] - cat•er•pil•lar

We found 11 definitions of caterpillar from 8 different sources.

What does caterpillar mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: caterpillars
caterpillar - a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth
		larva the immature free-living form of most invertebrates and amphibians and fish which at hatching from the egg is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose
		lepidoptera, order lepidoptera moths and butterflies
		tussock caterpillar larva of a tussock moth
		cankerworm green caterpillar of a geometrid moth; pest of various fruit and shade trees
		inchworm, looper, measuring worm small hairless caterpillar having legs on only its front and rear segments; mostly larvae of moths of the family Geometridae
		potato tuberworm, phthorimaea operculella larva of potato moth; mines in leaves and stems of e.g. potatoes and tobacco
		cutworm North American moth whose larvae feed on young plant stems cutting them off at the ground
		army worm, pseudaletia unipuncta, armyworm larva of fungus gnat that feed on cereals and other grains; they march in large companies in regular order when the food is exhausted
		beet armyworm, spodoptera exigua moth larva that eats foliage of beets and other vegetables
		fall armyworm, spodoptera frugiperda larva of a migratory American noctuid moth; destroys grasses and small grains
		tobacco hornworm, tomato worm, manduca sexta large green white-striped hawkmoth larva that feeds on tobacco and related plants; similar to tomato hornworm
		potato worm, tomato hornworm, manduca quinquemaculata large green white-striped hawkmoth larva that feeds on tomato and potato plants; similar to tobacco hornworm
		silkworm the commercially bred hairless white caterpillar of the domestic silkworm moth which spins a cocoon that can be processed to yield silk fiber; the principal source of commercial silk
		giant silkworm, wild wilkworm, silkworm the commercially bred hairless white caterpillar of the domestic silkworm moth which spins a cocoon that can be processed to yield silk fiber; the principal source of commercial silk
		tent caterpillar the larvae of moths that build and live in communal silken webs in orchard and shade trees
		lappet caterpillar larva of a lappet moth
		webworm several gregarious moth larvae that spin webs over foliage on which they feed
		corn borer, pyrausta nubilalis native to Europe; in America the larvae bore into the stem and crown of corn and other plants
		bollworm any of various moth caterpillars that destroy cotton bolls
		cabbageworm, pieris rapae toxic green larva of a cabbage butterfly
caterpillar - a large tracked vehicle that is propelled by two endless metal belts; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work
		cat
		tracked vehicle a self-propelled vehicle that moves on tracks
		argot, lingo, patois, slang, vernacular, jargon, cant a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard

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Wiktionary

caterpillar (Noun)
The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
caterpillar (Noun)
A vehicle with a caterpillar track ; a crawler.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

caterpillar (n.)
The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm.
caterpillar (n.)
A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

caterpillar
The wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

caterpillar
kat′ėr-pil-ar, n. a grub that lives upon the leaves of plants. [Prob. O. Fr. chatepeleuse, 'hairy cat;' chate, a she-cat—L. catus, peleuse, hairy—L. pilosus, pilum.]

Vulgar Tongue DictionaryDictionary of the Vulgar Tongue 👅

caterpillar
A nick name for a soldier. In the year 1745, a soldier quartered at a house near Derby, was desired by his landlord to call upon him, whenever he came that way; for, added he, soldiers are the pillars of the nation. The rebellion being finished, it happened the same regiment was quartered in Derbyshire, when the soldier resolved to accept of his landlord's invitation, and accordingly obtained leave to go to him: but, on his arrival, he was greatly surprised to find a very cold reception; whereupon expostulating with his landlord, he reminded him of his invitation, and the circumstance of his having said, soldiers were the pillars of the nation. If I did, answered the host, I meant CATERpiliars.

Wikipedia

A caterpillar is a young butterfly or moth that has just hatched out of its egg. When it is older it will turn into a pupa and turn into a butterfly.