Main Entry:

¹co·coon

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈkün\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French cocon, from Occitan coucoun, from coco shell, probably ultimately from Latin coccum kermes (thought to be a gall or berry), from Greek kokkos berry, kermes

Date:

1679

1 a: an envelope often largely of silk which an insect larva forms about itself and in which it passes the pupa stage b: any of various other protective coverings produced by animals2 a: something suggesting a cocoon especially in providing protection or in producing isolation <wrapped in a cocoon of blankets> <an interest in the world beyond the everyday cocoon most of us construct — Peter Mayle> b: a protective covering placed or sprayed over military or naval equipment in storage