COCOON

cocoon. Cocoon, n. an oblong ball in which the silk worm involves itself, formed by threads which compose silk

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Co‐coon″ (?), n. [[F. cocon, dim. of coque shell of egge and insects, fr. L. concha mussel shell. See Conch.]] 1. 1. An oblong case in which the silkworm lies in its chrysalis state. It is formed of threads of silk spun by the worm just before leaving the larval state. From these the silk of commerce is prepared.
2. 2. (Zoöl.) (a) The case constructed by any insect to contain its larva or pupa. (b) The case of silk made by spiders to protect their eggs. (c) The egg cases of mucus, etc., made by leeches and other worms.