caterpillar
UK[ˈkætəpɪlə]US[ˈkætərˌpɪlər]
n
The long, worm-like larva of a butterfly or moth, having a segmented body and several pairs of legs.
n
(Caterpillar) A trademark for a type of heavy vehicle with continuous tracks, used especially on rough ground.
Etymology
The word 'caterpillar' has a wonderfully descriptive folk etymology. It originated in Middle English from the Old North French term catepelose, which literally translates to "hairy cat." This vivid name reflects the creature's fuzzy appearance, which was likened to a small, furry animal. The Latin roots are catta for "cat" and pilōsus for "hairy." Over time, the spelling and pronunciation in English shifted from catepelose to caterpillar, influenced by unrelated words like piller (meaning "plunderer," perhaps alluding to the insect's ravenous appetite). Thus, the modern term carries the poetic logic of a "hairy cat" that voraciously consumes plants.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It entered Middle English from the Old North French catepelose, meaning "hairy cat." The first element is from Late Latin catta (cat). The second element is from Old French pelose, from Latin pilōsus (hairy, shaggy).
Examples
The children watched the caterpillar munch its way through a leaf.
After forming a chrysalis, the caterpillar will transform into a butterfly.
The construction site used a Caterpillar bulldozer to clear the land.