moult

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles
  2. verb cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers

Etymology

From Middle English mouten, from Old English *mutian (cf. bemutian), from Latin mūtō, mūtāre. Doublet of mute and mutate. Un-etymological ⟨l⟩ was introduced into the spelling by mistakenly assuming a French origin with -l- (compare fault, vault and solder with correctly restored etymological ⟨l⟩).

In classic literature

Synonyms

molt, molting, moulting, ecdysis

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