ecdysis

[ ek-duh-sis ]

noun

, plural ec·dy·ses [ek, -d, uh, -seez].

1. the shedding or casting off of an outer coat or integument by snakes, crustaceans, etc.

ecdysis

/ ˈɛkdɪsɪs /

noun

1. See ecdysone
   the periodic shedding of the cuticle in insects and other arthropods or the outer epidermal layer in reptiles See also ecdysone

Derived Forms

• ecˈdysial, adjective

Other Words From

• ec·dys·i·al [ek-, diz, -ee-, uh, l, -, dizh, -, -, dizh, -, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecdysis¹

1850–55; < New Latin < Greek ékdysis a getting out, equivalent to ek- ec- + dý ( ein ) to enter + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecdysis¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek ekdusis, from ekduein to strip, from ek- ex- ¹+ duein to put on

Example Sentences

The first ecdysis occurred after 5–6 days, the length of the caterpillars being from nine to ten millimeters.

From Project Gutenberg

After the second ecdysis the marking and colouring only undergo change with respect to the eye-spots.

From Project Gutenberg

The first ecdysis occurs after five days, and with this there appears quite suddenly a very complicated pattern.

From Project Gutenberg

Four days later, after the fourth ecdysis, the dimorphism becomes a polymorphism.

From Project Gutenberg

In captivity the parent snake underwent ecdysis on about July 20 and again on August 26.

From Project Gutenberg