cocoon

Everyday

1. A cocoon is a silky case that some insect larvae, like moths and silkworms, spin around themselves to change into adults. tree →
2. A cocoon is any soft, warm, safe covering that wraps around someone: «a cocoon of blankets». tree →
3. To cocoon someone is to wrap them up or protect them from the world. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on life cycles, a caterpillar becomes a pupa inside a cocoon (moths) or a chrysalis (butterflies), then comes out as an adult — this is metamorphosis. Silk comes from silkworm cocoons. In stories, a character cocooned in a sleeping bag feels safe. Phrases: «spin a cocoon», «come out of the cocoon», «a cocoon of blankets».

Examples

• The caterpillar spun a cocoon on the branch. tree →
• A moth came out of the cocoon. tree →
• Silk is made from silkworm cocoons. tree →
• I was cocooned in my sleeping bag. tree →
• Inside the cocoon, the caterpillar changes completely. tree →
• The baby was cocooned in a soft blanket. tree →
• Butterflies make a chrysalis, not a cocoon. tree →
• Don't open a cocoon; let the insect come out by itself. tree →

Note

Spelling: cocoon (double o twice: c-o-c-o-o-n). Science trap: moths make silky cocoons; butterflies form a hard chrysalis. People often mix these up.