premolt

noun

pre·​molt ˌprē-ˈmōlt How to pronounce premolt (audio)
variants or less commonly pre-molt
: the period before an animal molts its skin, exoskeleton, shell, etc.
Secretion of a crustacean's new exoskeleton begins during premolt while the animal is still stuffed inside the old one, filling available space to capacity.Mark W. Denny and Steven Dean Gaines
premolt adjective
or less commonly pre-molt
the premolt phase
premolt tarantulas

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premolt was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near premolt

Cite this Entry

“Premolt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premolt. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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