ecdysis

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English

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The exuvium stripped off a snake in a process of ecdysis

Etymology

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From Ancient Greek ἔκδυσις (ékdusis, stripping), from ἐκδύω (ekdúō, I take off), from ἐκ (ek, out) + δύω (dúō, I get in).

Noun

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ecdysis (countable and uncountable, plural ecdyses or ecdysises)

  1. The stripping off of an outer layer of skin by snakes and certain other animals; typically in accommodation to growth or wear-and-tear; as distinct from the term "moulting", not in reference to the shedding of hair or feathers.
  2. The shedding of an exoskeleton, as in insects and crustaceans.
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