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.
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
On a recent pondside walk, Brand came upon various dragonfly exuviae — the outer casings of young dragonflies.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 11, 2022
The researchers focused on exuviae and frass from crickets, mealworms and black soldier flies, said Katherine Barragán-Fonseca, a doctoral student at Wageningen University & Research and an author of the paper.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 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
Standing by her mother's grave, she often repeated to herself "seu potius exuviae," and wondered whether her father's faith in science excluded the hope of that old-world reasoning.
From The Crown of Life by George Gissing
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