Sekirov Dictionary

caterpillar

UK /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/US /ˈkætɚˌpɪlɚ/

noun 4
verb 1
forms 3

noun4

•
The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
- The bird just ate that green caterpillar.
A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.
A set of subtrees of a tree.
•
(no longer used) A rapacious, extortionate person preying upon the community.
- 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

verb1

To move along slowly, drawing one's body up, in the manner of a caterpillar.

forms

caterpillared · caterpillaring · caterpillars

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