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molt
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1molt

verb \ˈmōlt\

Definition of MOLT

intransitive verb
: to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
transitive verb
: to cast off (an outer covering) periodically; specifically : to throw off (the old cuticle) —used of arthropods
— molt·er noun
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Examples of MOLT

  1. Snakes molt as they grow, shedding the old skin and growing a larger new skin.
  2. <a crab molts its shell as it grows larger>

Origin of MOLT

alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -mūtian to change, from Latin mutare — more at mutable
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to MOLT

Synonyms
exfoliate, shed, slip, slough (also sluff)

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

Rhymes with MOLT

bolt, colt, dolt, jolt, poult, smolt, volt

2molt

noun

Definition of MOLT

: the act or process of molting; specifically : ecdysis

First Known Use of MOLT

1815

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

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