/'kætəpɪlə(r); `kætɚ,pɪlɚ/ n
1 larva of a butterfly or moth 毛虫, 蛹（蝶或蛾的幼虫）. =>illus at butterfly 见butterfly之插图.
2 (a) (also Cater-pillar track) (propr 专利名) endless belt passing round the wheels of a tractor or tank, enabling it to travel over rough ground 履带.
(b) (also Caterpillar tractor, abbr 缩写 cat) tractor fitted with such a belt 履带拖拉机.

n[C]

[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old North French;Origin: catepelose 'hairy cat, caterpillar']
a small creature like a worm with many legs that eats leaves and that develops into a butterfly or other flying insect