cocoon shell

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• cocoon — [kə ko͞on′] n. [Fr cocon < Prov coucoun, egg shell, dim. of coca, shell like container < ML coco, shell, hull] 1. the silky or fibrous case which the larvae of certain insects spin about themselves for shelter during the pupa stage 2. any… …   English World dictionary

• cocoon — 1690s, from M.Fr. coucon (16c., Mod.Fr. cocon), from coque clam shell, egg shell, nut shell (7c.), from O.Fr. coque shell, from L. coccum berry, from Gk. kokkos berry, seed. The verb is from 1986, to stay inside and be inactive, as is the noun… …   Etymology dictionary

• Cocoon — Co*coon , n. [F. cocon, dim. of coque shell of egge and insects, fr. L. concha mussel shell. See {Conch}.] 1. An oblong case in which the silkworm lies in its chrysalis state. It is formed of threads of silk spun by the worm just before leaving… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• cocoon — cocoonlike, adj. /keuh koohn /, n. 1. the silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects, as silkworms, serving as a covering while they are in the pupal stage. 2. any of various similar protective coverings in nature, as the silky case in… …   Universalium

• cocoon — co|coon1 [kəˈku:n] n [Date: 1600 1700; : French; Origin: cocon, from Provençal, from coco shell ] 1.) a silk cover that young ↑moths and other insects make to protect themselves while they are growing 2.) something that wraps around you… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• cocoon — I. noun Etymology: French cocon, from Occitan coucoun, from coco shell, probably ultimately from Latin coccum kermes (thought to be a gall or berry), from Greek kokkos berry, kermes Date: 1679 1. a. an envelope often largely of silk which an… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• cocoon — co•coon [[t]kəˈkun[/t]] n. 1) ent the silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects, as silkworms, serving as a covering while they are in the pupal stage 2) ent a similar protective covering in nature, as the silky case in which certain… …   From formal English to slang

• cocoon — [kə ku:n] noun 1》 a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae.     ↘something that envelops someone in a protective or comforting way. 2》 a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment. verb 1》 wrap in a… …   English new terms dictionary

• cocoon — n. & v. n. 1 a a silky case spun by many insect larvae for protection as pupae. b a similar structure made by other animals. 2 a protective covering, esp. to prevent corrosion of metal equipment. v. 1 tr. & intr. wrap in or form a cocoon. 2 tr.… …   Useful english dictionary

• cocoon — n. [F. cocon, shell] A protective case or covering of an egg mass, larva, pupa, or adult of various invertebrates …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

• cocoon — /kəˈkun / (say kuh koohn) noun 1. the silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects, as silkworms, serving as a covering while they are in the chrysalis or pupal state. 2. any of various similar protective coverings, as the silky case in… …