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cocoon

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cocoon

Pupa-case of many insects, especially of moths and silkworms. This outer web or ball is spun from the mouth by caterpillars before they pass into the chrysalis state.

Originally the word was only applied to the cocoon spun by the silkworm Bombyx. It is now extended to all similar structures (for example, the silken case spun by spiders to receive their eggs). The pupal stage may last a long or only a short time. The emerging insect splits the covering when it is ready to emerge.



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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
He hurried forward to meet it, but as it drew nearer he saw that it was driven by the carpenter's youngest boy and that the figure at his side, looking like a large upright cocoon in spectacles, was that of Mrs.
Ethan Frome by Wharton, Edith View in context
"I have a little brown cocoon of an idea that may possibly expand into a magnificent moth of fulfilment," Anne told Gilbert when she reached home.
Anne's House of Dreams by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context
I have known young ladies, much better educated, and with an outward world diversified by instructive lectures, to say nothing of literature and highly-developed fancy-work, who have spun a cocoon of visionary joys and sorrows for themselves, just as Penny did.
Brother Jacob by Eliot, George View in context
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