Chrysalis Definition
krĭsə-lĭs
chrysalides, chrysalises
noun
The pupa of a butterfly, the form of the insect when between the larval and adult stages and in a case or cocoon.
Webster's New World
The case or cocoon.
Webster's New World
A stage of development when something or someone is still protected.
Webster's New World
The pupa of a butterfly or moth, enclosed inside a cocoon, in which metamorphosis takes place.
Wiktionary
(figuratively) A strong constraint.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Chrysalis
Noun
Singular:
chrysalis
Plural:
chrysalides, chrysalisesOrigin of Chrysalis
-
Latin chrȳsallis from Greek khrūsallis khrūsallid- gold-colored pupa of a butterfly from khrūsos gold chryso–
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Ancient Greek χρυσαλλίς (khrusallis, “golden”), because of the color of some of them.
From Wiktionary
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