chrysalis

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noun chrys·a·lis \ ˈkri-sə-ləs \

Definition of chrysalis

plural chrysalides play \kri-ˈsa-lə-ˌdēz\ or chrysalises

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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Recent Examples of chrysalis from the Web

Eventually, each caterpillar transforms into a chrysalis, and then a week or so later, an adult butterfly emerges and can be released back into the wild.

— jonathan hunley, Washington Post, "Imperiled monarch butterflies get help from Pr. William families," 20 Aug. 2017
The chrysalis is unpacked, inspected for any sign of disease or parasitoids, then pinned to foam boards and placed into the emergence chamber.

— kathy berdan, Twin Cities, "Stand still. Stay quiet. A colorful critter might alight on your finger at Como’s ‘Blooming Butterflies’," 12 June 2017
There’s a flimsy garbage can-sized cage at the front of the room with chrysalises, transitioning from caterpillars into butterflies.

— mike ellis, USA TODAY, "Celebrating Mother's Day when mom has died," 15 May 2017
As an alternative, Ms. Philo has focused her work at Céline on designing clothes — often oversize, soft, enveloping — that act almost as a chrysalis from within which the woman can emerge.

— vanessa friedman, New York Times, "Women, Fashion Has You Covered," 6 Apr. 2017
Schwartz eventually left the organization in the hands of nonprofit professionals — Footsteps was a chrysalis for her, too — and went to law school.

— taffy brodesser-akner, New York Times, "The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life," 30 Mar. 2017
Caterpillars eat the seeds, adults eat the nectar, females lay their eggs on the flowers in the summer, and the chrysalises nestle beneath the buckwheat in the winter.

— National Geographic, "Rare Butterflies Flying High at Los Angeles Airport," 21 Apr. 2016
The staff around knew their stuff and were happy to take some time to explain the difference between a cocoon and a chrysalis and all about the wonder of metamorphosis.

— nathan barry, WIRED, "The Big School Countdown Continues…," 7 Oct. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chrysalis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of chrysalis

Origin and Etymology of chrysalis

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

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Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

CHRYSALIS Defined for English Language Learners

chrysalis

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noun

Definition of chrysalis for English Language Learners

: a moth or butterfly at the stage of growth when it is turning into an adult and is enclosed in a hard case
: a hard case that protects a moth or butterfly while it is turning into an adult

CHRYSALIS Defined for Kids

chrysalis

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noun chrys·a·lis \ ˈkris-ə-ləs \

Definition of chrysalis for Students

1 :a moth or butterfly pupa that is enclosed in a hardened protective case

2 :the hardened protective case made by and enclosing a moth or butterfly pupa

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Spanish Central: Translation of chrysalis Nglish: Translation of chrysalis for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chrysalis

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