ecdysis

English

The exuvium stripped off a snake in a process of ecdysis

Etymology

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

Noun

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.

Related terms

• ecdysiast
• ecdysiotropic
• ecdysone