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cocoon
co·coon / kəˈkoōn/ • n. a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae. ∎ a similar structure made by other animals. ∎ a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment. ∎ something that envelops or surrounds, esp. in a protective or comforting way: the cocoon of her kimono | fig. a warm cocoon of love. • v. [tr.] (usu. be cocooned) envelop or surround in a protective or comforting way: we were cocooned in our sleeping bags. ∎ spray with a protective coating. ∎ [intr.] retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cozy private world of the family: the movers and shakers are now cocooning. DERIVATIVES: co·coon·er n. (in the last sense of the verb ). |
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Cite this article
"cocoon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cocoon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cocoon.html "cocoon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon Case or wrapping produced by larval forms of animals (such as some moths, butterflies, and wasps) for the resting or pupal stage in their life cycle. Some spiders spin a cocoon that protects their eggs. Most cocoons are made of silk, and those of the domestic silkworm provide most of the world's commercial silk. See also butterfly; chrysalis; pupa
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"cocoon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cocoon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cocoon.html "cocoon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon A protective covering for eggs and/or larvae produced by many invertebrates. For example, the larvae of many insects spin a cocoon in which the pupae develop (that of the silkworm moth produces silk), and earthworms secrete a cocoon for the developing eggs (see clitellum).
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"cocoon." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cocoon." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cocoon.html "cocoon." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon Silken sheath which the pupae of many insects, e.g. moths and bees, spin around themselves for protection during this vulnerable stage in their life cycle. In the case of the silk moth, this covering can be unwound and spun into thread for the making of silk cloth.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cocoon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "cocoon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cocoon.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "cocoon." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon XVII. — F. cocon — modPr. coucoun egg-shell, cocoon, dim. of coca shell.
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T. F. HOAD. "cocoon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "cocoon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cocoon.html T. F. HOAD. "cocoon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon see pupa . |
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"cocoon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cocoon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-cocoon.html "cocoon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-cocoon.html |
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cocoon
cocoon
•afternoon, attune, autoimmune, baboon, balloon, bassoon, bestrewn, boon, Boone, bridoon, buffoon, Cameroon, Cancún, cardoon, cartoon, Changchun, cocoon, commune, croon, doubloon, dragoon, dune, festoon, galloon, goon, harpoon, hoon, immune, importune, impugn, Irgun, jejune, June, Kowloon, lagoon, lampoon, loon, macaroon, maroon, monsoon, moon, Muldoon, noon, oppugn, picayune, platoon, poltroon, pontoon, poon, prune, puccoon, raccoon, Rangoon, ratoon, rigadoon, rune, saloon, Saskatoon, Sassoon, Scone, soon, spittoon, spoon, swoon, Troon, tune, tycoon, typhoon, Walloon
•fortune, misfortune
•vodun • veldskoen • honeymoon
•forenoon • tablespoon • teaspoon
•soupspoon • dessertspoon • Neptune
•tribune • triune • opportune
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"cocoon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cocoon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cocoon.html "cocoon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cocoon.html |
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