Chrysalis CHRYSALIS, n. The particular form which butterflies, moths,
and some other insects assume, before they arrive at their winged or
perfect state. It is called also aurelia, from aurum, gold. In this form,
the animal is in a state of rest or insensibility; having no organs
for taking nourishment, nor wings, nor legs. The external covering
is cartilaginous, and usually smooth and glossy; sometimes hairy. The
name is taken from the yellow color of certain species; but they are of
different colors, as green, black, etc.
chrysalis noun (pluralchrysalidesorchrysalises)
Etymology: Latin chrysallid-, chrysallis gold-colored pupa
of butterflies, from Greek, from chrysos gold, of Semitic origin;
akin to Hebrew ḥārūṣ gold Date: 1601 1.a. a pupa of a butterfly; broadly an insect pupa b.
the enclosing case or covering 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>
chrysalis n. (pl. chrysalises or chrysalides) 1 a a quiescent pupa of a butterfly or moth. b the hard outer case enclosing it. 2 a preparatory or transitional state. Etymology: L
f. Gk khrusallis -idos f. khrusos gold
chrysalis
(chrysalises)
1. A chrysalis is a butterfly or moth in the stage between being a larva and an adult.
N-COUNT
2. A chrysalis is the hard, protective covering that a chrysalis has.
...a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.N-COUNT
chrysalis
ˈkrɪsəlɪs n. (pl. chrysalises or chrysalides) 1 a a quiescent pupa
of a butterfly or moth. b the hard outer case enclosing it. 2 a preparatory
or transitional state. [L f. Gk khrusallis -idos f. khrusos gold]
Chrysalis \Chrys"a*lis\, n.; pl. Chrysalides. [L. chrysallis
the gold-colored pupa of butterflies, Gr. ?, fr. ? gold. Cf.
Aurelia.] (Zo["o]l.)
The pupa state of certain insects, esp. of butterflies, from
which the perfect insect emerges. See Pupa, and Aurelia
(a) .
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