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chrysalis
noun chrys·a·lis \ˈkri-sə-ləs\
: a moth or butterfly at the stage of growth when it is turning into an adult and is enclosed in a hard case
: a hard case that protects a moth or butterfly while it is turning into an adult
plural chry·sal·i·des \kri-ˈsa-lə-ˌdēz\ or chrys·a·lis·es
Full Definition of CHRYSALIS
1
a : a pupa of a butterfly; broadly : an insect pupa b : the hardened outer protective layer of a pupa
2
: a protecting covering : a sheltered state or stage of being or growth <a budding writer could not emerge from his chrysalis too soon — William Du Bois>
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Illustration of CHRYSALIS
Origin of CHRYSALIS
Latin chrysallid-, chrysallis gold-colored pupa of butterflies, from Greek, from chrysos gold, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew ḥārūṣ gold
First Known Use: 1601
CHRYSALISES Defined for Kids
chrysalis
noun chrys·a·lis \ˈkris-ə-ləs\
Definition of CHRYSALIS for Kids
1
: a moth or butterfly pupa that is enclosed in a hardened protective case
2
: the hardened protective case made by and enclosing a moth or butterfly pupa
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