chrysalis
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.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 hardened outer protective layer 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>
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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
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