CATERPILLAR


Meaning of CATERPILLAR in English

■ noun

1》 the larva of a butterfly or moth.

2》 (also ~ track or tread ) trademark an articulated steel band passing round the wheels of a vehicle for travel on rough ground.

Origin

ME: perh. from a var. of OFr. chatepelose , lit. 'hairy cat', influenced by obs. piller 'ravager'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.