ecdysis

noun ec·dy·sis \ ˈek-də-səs \

Definition of ecdysis

plural ecdyses play \ˈek-də-ˌsēz\

: the act of molting or shedding an outer cuticular layer

Recent Examples of ecdysis from the Web

Growing larger causes spiders to molt, a process called ecdysis, Jo-Anne Sewlal, an arachnologist at the University of the West Indies, says via email.

— liz langley, National Geographic, "Watch This Huge Tarantula Wriggle Out of Its Skin," 22 Apr. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of ecdysis

New Latin, from Greek ekdysis act of getting out, from ekdyein to strip, from ex- + dyein to enter, don

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1854

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

ecdysis

noun ec·dy·sis \ ˈek-də-səs \

medical Definition of ecdysis

plural ecdyses play \-də-ˌsēz\

: the act of molting or shedding an outer cuticular layer (as in insects and crustaceans)

—

ecdysial

play \ek-ˈdiz-ē-əl, -ˈdizh-(ē-)əl\ adjective

Learn More about ecdysis

Britannica English: Translation of ecdysis for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ecdysis

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