exuviae

plural noun

ex·​u·​vi·​ae ig-ˈzü-vē-ˌē How to pronounce exuviae (audio) -vē-ˌī How to pronounce exuviae (audio)
: sloughed off natural animal coverings (such as the skins of snakes)
exuvial
ig-ˈzü-vē-əl How to pronounce exuviae (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from exuere to take off, from ex- + -uere to put on; akin to Old Church Slavonic obuti to put on (footwear)

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exuviae was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near exuviae

exute

exuviae

exuviate

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Exuviae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exuviae. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

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Medical Definition

exuviae

noun plural
ex·​u·​vi·​ae ig-ˈzü-vē-ˌē How to pronounce exuviae (audio) -vē-ˌī How to pronounce exuviae (audio)
: sloughed-off natural coverings of animals (as the skins of snakes)
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