chrysalis
[ kris-uh-lis ]
/ ˈkrɪs ə lɪs /
noun, plural chrys·a·lis·es, chry·sal·i·des [kri-sal-i-deez] /krɪˈsæl ɪˌdiz/.
the hard-shelled pupa of a moth or butterfly; an obtect pupa.
Origin of chrysalis
1650–60; < Latin
chrȳsalis < Greek
chrȳsallís, equivalent to
chrȳs-
chrys- +
-allis suffix, probably with diminutive value
Words nearby chrysalis
chronotron,
chronotropic,
chronotropism,
chrys-,
chrysalid,
chrysalis,
chrysanthemum,
chrysarobin,
chryse planitia,
chryselephantine,
chrysiasis
Example sentences from the Web for chrysalis
British Dictionary definitions for chrysalis
chrysalis
/ (ˈkrɪsəlɪs) /
noun plural chrysalises or chrysalides (krɪˈsælɪˌdiːz)
the obtect pupa of a moth or butterfly
anything in the process of developing
Word Origin for chrysalis
C17: from Latin
chrӯsallis, from Greek
khrusallis, from
khrusos gold, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew
harūz gold
Scientific definitions for chrysalis
chrysalis
[ krĭs′ə-lĭs ]
The pupa of certain kinds of insects, especially of moths and butterflies, that is inactive and enclosed in a firm case or cocoon from which the adult eventually emerges.
The case or cocoon of a chrysalis.