Etymology
Meaning and Origin
In 1598, the Latin word pūpa was borrowed into English as "pupa," referring to the dormant, cocoon-like stage in the life cycle of insects. This stage is characterized by the lack of visible feeding and movement, and by the formation of a protective shell around the insect's body.
The Latin word pūpa is related to words in other Indo-European languages, such as:
These words all derive from the Indo-European root *pew-k̂-, which means "blow up, be filled with air." This root is also found in the English word "puff." It is thought that the Indo-European word for "doll" originally referred to an inflated object, such as a leather bag or a balloon. Over time, the word came to be used for all types of dolls and puppets, including those that were not inflated.
In the 17th century, the word "pupa" began to be used specifically to refer to the dormant stage in the life cycle of insects. This usage was influenced by the Greek word paûkos, which was used by Aristotle to refer to the dormant stage of the silkworm.
Today, the word "pupa" is used to refer to the dormant stage in the life cycle of all insects. This stage is also sometimes called the "chrysalis" or the "cocoon."
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