pupa

[ pyoo-puh ]

noun,plural pu·pae [pyoo-pee], /ˈpyu pi/, pu·pas.
  1. an insect in the nonfeeding, usually immobile, transformation stage between the larva and the imago.

Origin of pupa

1
1765–70; <New Latin, special use of Latin pūpa girl, doll, puppet. See pupil1, puppet

Other words from pupa

  • pupal, adjective

Words Nearby pupa

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How to use pupa in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pupa

pupa

/ (ˈpjuːpə) /


nounplural -pae (-piː) or -pas
  1. an insect at the immobile nonfeeding stage of development between larva and adult, when many internal changes occur: See coarctate, exarate, obtect

Origin of pupa

1
C19: via New Latin, from Latin: a doll, puppet

Derived forms of pupa

  • pupal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pupa

pupa

[ pyōō ]


Plural pupae (pyōō)
  1. An insect in the nonfeeding stage of development between the larva and adult, during which it typically undergoes a complete transformation within a protective cocoon or hardened case. Only certain kinds of insects, such as moths, butterflies, ants, and beetles, develop as larvae and pupae. Compare imago larva nymph.

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