Molted: meaning, definitions and examples

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molted

 

[ moสŠltษชd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

shedding skin

Molted refers to the process by which animals, particularly reptiles and birds, shed their outer layer, such as skin or feathers, to make way for new growth. This process can also occur in other creatures, including some insects, where they shed their exoskeleton. Molting is essential for growth and sometimes for reproductive reasons, as it allows for the replacement of worn or damaged anatomical features. The timing and frequency of molting can vary widely among different species.

Synonyms

cast off, exuviate, shedding

Examples of usage

  • The snake molted its skin in the warm sun.
  • Many birds will molt their feathers in late summer.
  • After molting, the crab appeared much bigger.
  • The caterpillar molted several times before becoming a butterfly.

Translations

Translations of the word "molted" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น moltado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‹เคฒเฅเคŸเฅ‡เคก

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช gehรคutet

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ moulting

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะธะฝัŒะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wylinienie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่„ฑ็šฎใ—ใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mue

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ muda

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sฤฑyrฤฑlma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํƒˆํ”ผํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุณุงู‚ุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ svlรฉkรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vytiahnutรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่œ•็šฎ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ liting

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ molt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบาฏะนั€ะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒšแƒขแƒ”แƒ“แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ molt edilmiลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ muda

Etymology

The word 'molted' originates from the Latin term 'moltus', which means 'to change'. It entered the English language in the 15th century, deriving from the Old French term 'molt', meaning 'to lose the outer layer'. The process of molting is critical in the life cycles of various species, enabling growth and adaptation to changes in the environment. In different cultures, molting has symbolic connotations as well, often representing renewal and transformation. Its usage has expanded beyond zoology to describe any process of shedding or losing an outer layer, making it a versatile term in both scientific and poetic contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,816, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.