Cocoon

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cocoon \Co*coon"\, n. [F. cocon, dim. of coque shell of egge and
     insects, fr. L. concha mussel shell. See {Conch}.]
     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.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.)
        (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.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cocoon
       n : silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects to protect
           pupas and by spiders to protect eggs
       v 1: retreat as if into a cocoon, as from an unfriendly
            environment; "Families cocoon around the T.V. set most
            evenings"; "She loves to stay at home and cocoon"
       2: wrap in or as if in a cocoon, as for protection