n., pl., chrys·a·lis·es, or chry·sal·i·des (krĭ-săl'ĭ-dēz').
- A pupa, especially of a moth or butterfly, enclosed in a firm case or cocoon.
- A protected stage of development.
[Latin chrȳsallis, from Greek khrūsallis, khrūsallid-, gold-colored pupa of a butterfly, from khrūsos, gold. See chryso-.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
