premoultpremoltadj.n.
/ˌpriːˈməʊlt/, U.S. /ˈpriˈmoʊlt/ (in sense B.)Brit. /ˈpriːˌməʊlt/, U.S. /ˈpriˈmoʊlt/ Zoology.
A. adj.
Existing or occurring just before a change of plumage in birds, the shedding and replacement of the integument of arthropods, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > [adjective] > at premoult stage
premoult1937
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > [adjective] > of parts of > of integument at premoult stage
premoult1964
1937 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 124 176 The % of calcium in the tissues of a premoult crab is 1·24.
1957 R. A. H. Coombes in D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles VI. 312 (heading) The pre-moult migration of the sheld-duck.
1964 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. 2 303 At moult [of a crab], uptake of water, averaging 66·3% of the premoult weight, takes place.
1989 Jrnl. Zool. 219 247 Post-moult Magellanics had higher plasma..and liver retinol concentrations as compared with the pre-moult birds.
B. n.
A premoult stage or period.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > [noun] > premoult stage
premoult1948
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > [noun] > stage in life > premoult stage
premoult1948
1948 F. A. Brown in G. Pincus & K. V. Thimann Hormones I. 188 There is a gradual increase in oxygen consumption in crayfish in premolt.
1973 Nature 9 Mar. 133/2 An insect does not enter premoult if its thoracic glands have been removed.
1993 Jrnl. Insect Physiol. 39 413 Titres were low and relatively stable in intermoult and early premoult.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1937