Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cocoons, present participle cocooning, past tense, past participle cocooned
1. countable noun
A cocoon is a covering of silky threads that the larvae of moths and other insects make for themselves before they grow into adults.
2. countable noun
If you are in a cocoonof something, you are wrapped up in it or surrounded by it.
He stood there in a cocoon of golden light. [+ of]
3. countable noun
If you are living in a cocoon, you are in an environment in which you feel protected and safe, and sometimes isolated from everyday life.
...her innocent desire to envelop her beloved in a cocoon of love.
Even though we're living together we walk around in this cocoon of silence.
You cannot live in a cocoon and overlook these facts.
4. verb
If something cocoons you from something, it protects you or isolates you from it.
There is nowhere to hide when things go wrong, no organisation to cocoon you fromblame. [VERB noun + from]
The playwright cocooned himself in a world of pretence. [V pron-refl + in]
[Also V n + in]
More Synonyms of cocoon
cocoon in British English
(kəˈkuːn)
noun
1.
a.
a silky protective envelope secreted by silkworms and certain other insect larvae, in which the pupae develop
b.
a similar covering for the eggs of the spider, earthworm, etc
2.
a protective spray covering used as a seal on machinery
3.
a cosy warm covering
verb
4. (transitive)
to wrap in a cocoon
Word origin
C17: from French cocon, from Provençal coucoun eggshell, from coco shell, from Latin coccum kermes berry, from Greek kokkos grain, seed, berry; compare coccus
cocoon in American English
(kəˈkun)
noun
1.
the silky or fibrous case which the larvae of certain insects spin about themselves for shelter during the pupa stage
2.
any protective cover like this, as the egg capsule of certain spiders, leeches, etc.
3.
any cover used to waterproof or protect something, esp. military equipment for transport or storage
verb transitive
4.
to enclose protectively, as in a cocoon
5.
to isolate (oneself)
Word origin
Fr cocon < Prov coucoun, egg shell, dim. of coca, shell-like container < ML coco, shell, hull
Synonyms of 'cocoon'
wrap, swathe, envelop, swaddle
protect, shelter, cushion, insulate
More Synonyms of cocoon
In other languages
cocoon
British English: cocoon NOUN
A cocoon is a covering of silky threads that the larvae of moths and other insects make for themselves before they grow into adults.
...like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.
American English: cocoon
Brazilian Portuguese: casulo
Chinese: 茧
European Spanish: capullo
French: cocon
German: Kokon
Italian: bozzolo
Japanese: 繭
Korean: 고치
European Portuguese: casulo
Latin American Spanish: capullo
British English: cocoon VERB
If something cocoons you from something, it protects you or isolates you from it.
There is nowhere to hide when things go wrong, no organisation to cocoon you from blame.
American English: cocoon
Brazilian Portuguese: isolar
Chinese: 保护
European Spanish: arropar
French: protéger
German: abschirmen
Italian: proteggere
Japanese: 保護する
Korean: 보호하다
European Portuguese: isolar
Latin American Spanish: arropar
1 (verb)
Definition
to wrap in or protect as if in a cocoon
She lay on the sofa, cocooned in blankets.
Synonyms
wrap
She wrapped the baby in a blanket.
swathe
She swathed herself in thin black fabrics.
envelop
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
swaddle
pad
2 (verb)
Definition
to wrap in or protect as if in a cocoon
I was cocooned in my own safe little world.
Synonyms
protect
He vowed to protect them.
shelter
A neighbour sheltered the boy for seven days.
cushion
The suspension is designed to cushion passengers from the effects of riding over rough roads.
insulate
Their wealthy families had insulated them from reality.
screen
They deliberately screened him from knowledge of their operations.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cushion
Definition
to protect from injury or shock
The suspension is designed to cushion passengers from the effects of riding over rough roads.
Synonyms
protect,
support,
pillow,
bolster,
cradle,
buttress
in the sense of envelop
Definition
to cover, surround, or enclose
the thick black cloud of smoke that enveloped the area
Synonyms
enclose,
cover,
hide,
surround,
wrap around,
embrace,
blanket,
conceal,
obscure,
veil,
encompass,
engulf,
cloak,
shroud,
swathe,
encircle,
encase,
swaddle,
sheathe,
enfold,
enwrap
in the sense of insulate
Definition
to isolate or set apart
Their wealthy families had insulated them from reality.