egg case

noun

: a protective case enclosing eggs : ootheca

called also egg capsule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The orientation of the egg case is ok, the female choses the location and the orientation. oregonlive, 8 Jan. 2023 Most of the mantises that hatch from an egg case will die from starvation or cannibalism. oregonlive, 8 Jan. 2023 It’s the leathery egg case of sharks, skates and rays. Lshell, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2018 The wasps hatch, devour the roach inside the egg case and escape by drilling a hole out to freedom. Rob Dunn, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2018 Charlie says German cockroaches (the most common kind in the country) can hold up to 90 nymphs per egg case. Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, 13 July 2021 By loading Ninja Flex into a 3D printer, Williams-Guillen could build an egg case that was flexible, yet strong. Matt Simon, Wired, 5 Oct. 2020 Inspectors observed live roaches in all life cycles and an egg case at a Houston restaurant last week, according to inspection reports from August 19 to August 25. Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, 28 Aug. 2019 Regardless of storm duration, intensity and size, groups previously identified as aggressive were more likely to produce egg cases. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 20 Aug. 2019 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of egg case was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near egg case

Cite this Entry

“Egg case.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg%20case. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

egg case

noun
: a case that encloses and protects eggs (as of an insect)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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