exuviae

exuviae Definition

exu·viae (ik so̵̅o̅′vē ē, -syo̵̅o̅′-; ig zo̵̅o̅′-)

plural noun sing. exuvia -·via (-ə)

Zool. castoff coverings of animals, as crab shells or the skins of snakes

Etymology: L, that which is stripped off, spoils < exuere, to strip off < ex-, away + IE base *eu-, to put on > Lith aviù, to wear footwear

Related Forms:

exuviae Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

pupal: Apparently vacated cases with extruded pupal exuviae may contain over 50 ova.

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