ecdysis

noun ec·dy·sis \ˈek-də-səs\

plural ec·dy·ses \-də-ˌsēz\

Definition of ECDYSIS

: the act of molting or shedding an outer cuticular layer

New Latin, from Greek ekdysis act of getting out, from ekdyein to strip, from ex- + dyein to enter, don

First Known Use: circa 1854

Medical Dictionary

noun ec·dy·sis \ˈek-də-səs\

plural ec·dy·ses \-də-ˌsēz\

: the act of molting or shedding an outer cuticular layer (as in insects and crustaceans)

—ec·dys·ial \ek-ˈdiz-ē-əl, -ˈdizh-(ē-)əl\ adjective

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