Caterpillar: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ›
Add to dictionary

caterpillar

 

[ หˆkรฆtษ™rหŒpษชlษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

insect stage

A caterpillar is the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera, which includes butterflies and moths. Usually characterized by a long, segmented body and many legs, caterpillars undergo a transformative process known as metamorphosis before emerging as adult butterflies or moths.

Synonyms

caterpillar larva, insect, larva

Examples of usage

  • The caterpillar crawled slowly along the leaf.
  • Children enjoyed watching the caterpillar turn into a butterfly.
  • Some caterpillars can be quite colorful and attract attention.
  • The caterpillar builds a chrysalis before becoming a butterfly.

Translations

Translations of the word "caterpillar" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lagarta

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅˆเคŸเคฐเคชเคฟเคฒเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Raupe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ulat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณัƒัะตะฝะธั†ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gฤ…sienica

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฏ›่™ซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chenille

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ oruga

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tฤฑrtฤฑl

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์• ๋ฒŒ๋ ˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฑู‚ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ housenka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hรบsenica

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฏ›่™ซ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ gosenica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gรถngulirfa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›าฑั€ั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒงแƒฃแƒ›แƒ‘แƒแƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qurd

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ oruga

Etymology

The word 'caterpillar' originates from Middle English, derived from the combination of 'catir' (meaning 'cat') and 'piler' (meaning 'a hair'). This term reflects the resemblance of these insectsโ€™ fuzzy bodies to the fur of a cat. The word has evolved over time, influencing other languages and developing associations with transformation and change due to the caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly or moth. The term became widely used in English by the 15th century and has since been a critical part of biological discussions regarding the life cycles of insects.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,414, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.