English Lexicon

Chrysalis

/ˈkrɪs.ə.lɪs/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The pupal stage of an insect, especially a butterfly, during which it is enclosed in a protective case.

    "The caterpillar transformed into a chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly."
  2. 2

    A stage of development or transformation, often used metaphorically.

    "The project is in its chrysalis phase, waiting for the right conditions to flourish."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'chrysalis' originates from the Greek word 'khrusos', meaning 'gold', referring to the golden color of some chrysalises. It entered the English language in the late 16th century, evolving to describe the pupal stage of insects, particularly butterflies, during which they undergo transformation.

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