chrysalis
/ˈkɹɪsəlɪs/ noun C2- A butterfly pupa or the pupal stage of the butterfly lifestyle; (originally) any pupal stage of any insect wherein the pupa is largely inactive and takes no food.
- The bare hanging cocoon of butterfly pupae; (originally) any cocoon.
- Any limiting environment or situation escaped during one's growth or development in the manner of a butterfly.
Plural chrysalises
From the library
“Well, perhaps you haven’t found it so yet,” said Alice; “but when you have to turn into a chrysalis—you will some day, you know—and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you’ll feel it a little queer, won’t you?”
At length I felt a desire to study this living chrysalis more closely, and to endeavor to understand the secret part played by these insect-actors when they occupy themselves simply with pulling different pieces of string.”
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