proleg

[ proh-leg ]

noun

1. one of the abdominal ambulatory processes of caterpillars and other larvae, as distinct from the true or thoracic legs.

proleg

/ ˈprəʊˌlɛɡ /

noun

1. any of the short paired unjointed appendages on each abdominal segment of a caterpillar and any of certain other insect larvae

Word History and Origins

Origin of proleg¹

First recorded in 1810–20; pro- ¹ + leg

Word History and Origins

Origin of proleg¹

C19: from pro- ¹+ leg

Example Sentences

These claws, which sometimes amount to nearly a hundred on one proleg, are alternately longer and shorter.

From Project Gutenberg