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| chrys·a·lis [ kríss'liss ] (plural chrys·a·lis·es) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. insect between larva and adult: an insect at the stage of changing from larva to adult, during which it is inactive and encased in a hard cocoon
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2. insect cocoon: the hard cocoon that protects a butterfly, moth, or other pupa during its change from larva to adult
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3. thing developing: anything in an early or intermediate stage of development
(
literary
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| [Early 17th century. Via Latin chrysal(l)is< Greek khrūsalis< khrūsos "gold"; from the color or sheen of some pupae] |
