chrysalis

chrys·a·lis

noun \ˈkri-sə-ləs\

plural chry·sal·i·des\kri-ˈsa-lə-ˌdēz\ or chrys·a·lis·es

Definition of CHRYSALIS

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>

Illustration of CHRYSALIS

Origin of CHRYSALIS

Latin chrysallid-, chrysallis gold-colored pupa of butterflies, from Greek, from chrysos gold, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew ḥārūṣ gold

First Known Use: 1601

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine