cocoon

American  

[kuh-koon] / kəˈkun /

noun

1. the silky envelope spun by the larvae of many kinds of insects, as silkworms, serving as a covering for the insect during its stage as a pupa.

2. any of various similar protective coverings in nature, as the silky case in which certain spiders enclose their eggs.

3. a protective covering, usually consisting of polyvinyl chloride, sprayed over machinery, large guns on board ships, etc., to provide an airtight seal and prevent rust during long periods of storage.

4. any encompassingly protective or hermetic wrapping or enclosure resembling a cocoon.

   a cocoon of gauze.

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verb (used without object)

1. to produce a cocoon.

2. to spend time at home rather than going out to socialize, especially when enjoying comforting, quiet leisure activities or entertainment.

   After a certain age you realize you’d rather skip the club and just cocoon with the hubby, watching a movie on the sofa.

verb (used with object)

1. to wrap or enclose tightly, as if in a cocoon.

   The doctor cocooned the patient in blankets.

2. to provide (machinery, guns, etc.) with a protective, airtight covering by spraying with polyvinyl chloride or the like.

3. to envelop or surround protectively; insulate.

   a political leader cocooned by his staff and his bodyguards.

cocoon British  

/ kəˈkuːn /

noun

1. 1. a silky protective envelope secreted by silkworms and certain other insect larvae, in which the pupae develop

   2. 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

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verb

1. (tr) to wrap in a cocoon

cocoon Scientific  

/ kə-ko̅o̅n′ /

1. A case or covering of silky strands spun by an insect larva and inhabited for protection during its pupal stage.

2. A similar protective structure, such as the egg cases made by spiders or earthworms.

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Other Word Forms

• cocoonlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cocoon

First recorded in 1690–1700; from French cocon, from Provençal coucoun “eggshell,” equivalent to coco “shell” (from Latin coccum; cochineal ) + French -on diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Something that understood the rhythm of a slow morning, thick socks, a fogged-up kitchen, the whole mood of wintertime cocooning.

From Salon

They open the infected pupa's cocoon, create small cuts in its outer surface, and apply formic acid, a natural antimicrobial compound produced by the workers themselves.

From Science Daily

Then in Spring, each forms a cocoon before emerging as an adult butterfly to lay its own eggs.

From BBC

The smell of fields being burned in preparation for the next crop cycle filtered in and I’d lie cocooned in itchy blankets.

From The Wall Street Journal

For patients, concierge medicine offers a cocoon from mounting pressures on the medical system.

From Barron's

Related Words

• swaddle
• swathe