exuviae
Americanplural noun
plural noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exuviae
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin, derivative of exuere “to remove, strip off, divest oneself of,” from ex- ex- 1 + -uere “to put on”
Vocabulary lists containing exuviae
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On a recent pondside walk, Brand came upon various dragonfly exuviae — the outer casings of young dragonflies.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 11, 2022
The final step in the metamorphosis, if all goes well: The case splits open, and the winged creature molts, ready to take its first flight in pursuit of prey, leaving the exuviae behind.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 11, 2022
When insects molt, their exuviae contain chitin, a hard polymer that also makes up the shells of crustaceans like shrimp.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2022
After experimenting with different ratios of frass and exuviae from different insects, Ms. Barragán-Fonseca finalized a powdered mixture.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2022
The cast skin is often called the exuviae.
From Butterflies Worth Knowing by Weed, Clarence M.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
