蜕
slough; molt; exuvia
Meanings
3 senses · 15 examplesverb
to slough; to molt (snake, cicada)
technicalUsed specifically for arthropods and reptiles that shed their outer layer of skin or exoskeleton.
Snakes will keep sloughing their skin as they grow.
Cicada molting is an essential stage of their growth.
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You can often find cicadas that have just molted on tree trunks after rain.
This kind of insect grows a little bigger every time it molts.
Silkworm babies molt four times before they start spinning cocoons.
noun
slough; exuvia (snake, cicada)
technicalRefers to the shed outer skin or exoskeleton of snakes, cicadas, and similar creatures.
There is a snake slough in the grass by the road.
Cicada slough used in traditional Chinese medicine can treat wind-heat colds.
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A child picked up a complete cicada slough in the park.
There are various insect exuviae preserved in the lab.
A dried snake slough specimen is hung on the wall.
verb
to molt (birds)
technicalUsed for birds that shed old feathers and grow new ones, usually once or twice a year.
This sparrow hasn't finished shedding its old feathers before it starts growing new ones.
Pet parrots molt once every year.
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Before winter comes, migratory birds will complete a large-scale molt.
Chickens will also molt during their egg-laying break period.
The peacock in the zoo is molting, its feathers look a bit sparse.