'tent caterpillars' definitions:

Definition of 'tent caterpillars'

From: GCIDE
  • Lackey \Lack"ey\, n.; pl. Lackeys. [F. laquais; cf. Sp. & Pg. lacayo; of uncertain origin; perh. of German origin, and akin to E. lick, v.] An attending male servant; a footman; a servile follower. [1913 Webster]
  • Like a Christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Lackey caterpillar (Zool.), the caterpillar, or larva, of any bombycid moth of the genus Clisiocampa; -- so called from its party-colored markings. The common European species (Clisiocampa neustria) is striped with blue, yellow, and red, with a white line on the back. The American species (Clisiocampa Americana and {Clisiocampa sylvatica}) are commonly called tent caterpillars. See Tent caterpillar, under Tent.
  • Lackey moth (Zool.), the moth which produces the lackey caterpillar. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'tent caterpillars'