chrysalis

[kris-uh-lis]

noun

plural

chrysalises, chrysalides 

1. the hard-shelled pupa of a moth or butterfly; an obtect pupa.

chrysalis

/ ˈkrɪsəlɪs /

noun

1. the obtect pupa of a moth or butterfly

2. anything in the process of developing

chrysalis

1. The pupa of certain kinds of insects, especially of moths and butterflies, that is inactive and enclosed in a firm case or cocoon from which the adult eventually emerges.

2. The case or cocoon of a chrysalis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrysalis¹

1650–60; < Latin chrȳsalis < Greek chrȳsallís, equivalent to chrȳs- chrys- + -allis suffix, probably with diminutive value

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrysalis¹

C17: from Latin chrӯsallis, from Greek khrusallis, from khrusos gold, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew harūz gold

Example Sentences

Trefry likened this awkward time of life to the stage in a butterfly’s development when a caterpillar disappears inside a chrysalis and dissolves into goo before reforming into something entirely new.

Read more on Salon

Nearly every one of those caterpillars at some point drops from the tree canopy to overwinter or create a chrysalis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Nirupama Rao, former Indian ambassador to Beijing and Washington, says India is "a titan in chrysalis" - too large and ambitious to bind itself to any single great power.

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Between “Snooze” and “Crybaby,” she was lifted on wires, revealing a gauze train in the shape of a chrysalis, to spellbinding effect.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This sort of dark chrysalis that created the Donald Trump that we know today.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advancement 
• evolution 
• expansion 
• improvement 
• increase 
• progress