chrysalis
noun /ˈkrɪsəlɪs/
/ˈkrɪsəlɪs/
(also chrysalid
/ˈkrɪsəlɪd/
/ˈkrɪsəlɪd/
)- the form of an insect, especially a butterfly or moth, while it is changing into an adult inside a hard case, also called a chrysalis compare pupaTopics Insects, worms, etc.c2
enlarge imageWord Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin chrysal(l)is, chrysal(l)id-, from Greek khrusallis, from khrusos ‘gold’ (because of the gold colour or metallic sheen of some pupae).
