Caterpillar Meaning
/ˈkætəˌpɪlə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
nounA vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.
Sentence Examples
This caterpillar will become a beautiful butterfly.
A butterfly is a mature caterpillar.
The caterpillar spins the silk around its entire body.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The small ____ slowly munched on a large green leaf.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A small green ____ was seen crawling slowly along the leaf tonight.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English catirpel, catirpeller, probably from Old Northern French catepeluse (Modern French chatte + pileuse (“hairy cat”)), from Late Latin catta + pilōsa. The sense "rapacious, extortionate person" arose by association with obsolete piller (“plunderer”). See Modern Norman cattepeleuse. Displaced native kaleworm, from Middle English cowle worm, cale worme (“caterpillar, corn weevil”), from Old English cawelwyrm, cawelwurm (“caterpillar”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 2003, Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake, Virago Press (2013), page 46:
"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."
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 33:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The small ____ slowly munched on a large green leaf.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A small green ____ was seen crawling slowly along the leaf tonight.