exuviae

[ ig-zoo-vee-ee, ik-soo- ]

plural noun

1. the cast skins, shells, or other coverings of animals.

exuviae

/ ɪɡˈzjuːvɪˌiː /

plural noun

1. layers of skin or cuticle shed by animals during ecdysis

Derived Forms

• exˈuvial, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·uvi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exuviae¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of exuviae¹

C17: from Latin: something stripped off (the body), from exuere to strip off

Example Sentences

On a recent pondside walk, Brand came upon various dragonfly exuviae — the outer casings of young dragonflies.

From Seattle Times

When insects molt, their exuviae contain chitin, a hard polymer that also makes up the shells of crustaceans like shrimp.

From New York Times

The cast skin is often called the exuviae.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole surface is covered with the small, round, green exuviae of these destructive invaders.

From Project Gutenberg

Pellicles: the exuviae or cast larval skins of many insects: in Coccidae more especially applied to the hardened larval skin attached to the puparia of Diaspinae.

From Project Gutenberg