prepupa

noun

pre·​pu·​pa ˌprē-ˈpyü-pə How to pronounce prepupa (audio)
variants or pre-pupa
plural prepupae ˌprē-ˈpyü-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce prepupa (audio)
 also  -ˌpī
or pre-pupae or prepupas or pre-pupas
: the developmental stage of a metamorphic insect prior to entering the pupal stage (see pupa)
a prepupa of a moth
drosophila prepupa
prepupal adjective
or pre-pupal
prepupal larvae
the prepupal stage

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prepupa was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near prepupa

Cite this Entry

“Prepupa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prepupa. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!