Caterpillar
['kætɚpɪlɚ]
['kætəpɪlə] or ['kætɚpɪlɚ]
Definition
(noun.) a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth.
(noun.) a large tracked vehicle that is propelled by two endless metal belts; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work.
Inputed by Cecile--From WordNet
Definition
(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.
(n.) A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars.
Typist: Melville
Definition
n. a grub that lives upon the leaves of plants.
Checker: Ophelia
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see a caterpillar in a dream, denotes that low and hypocritical people are in your immediate future, and you will do well to keep clear of deceitful appearances. You may suffer a loss in love or business. To dream of a caterpillar, foretells you will be placed in embarrassing situations, and there will be small honor or gain to be expected.
Editor: Roxanne
Examples
- But no one probably will dispute that the butterfly is higher than the caterpillar. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- He appeared of a russet hue, not more distinguishable from the scene around him than the green caterpillar from the leaf it feeds on. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- But humanity never gets beyond the caterpillar stage--it rots in the chrysalis, it never will have wings. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He would have various grubs and insects, the large larv? of beetles and various caterpillars. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I have seen it displayed with such success, that I have encountered some fine ladies and gentlemen who might as well have been born caterpillars. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The taste for caterpillars still survives in China, where they are sold in dried bundles in the markets. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Checked by Beth