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   cocoon

   /kəˈkuːn/

   noun

   • 1. a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae: "the moth emerged from its pale yellow papery cocoon"
   • ▪ something that envelops someone in a protective or comforting way: "a cocoon of bedclothes"
   • 2. a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment.

   verb

   • 1. envelop in a protective or comforting way: "we felt cold even though we were cocooned in our sleeping bags" Similar wrapswathebundle upswaddlesheathemufflepadcloakenfoldenvelopsurroundencaseenclosecoverfoldwindliterary:lapprotectkeep safekeep from harmsafeguardshielddefendshelterscreenlook aftertake care ofcare forcushioninsulateisolatecloisterOpposite expose
   • ▪ retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cosy private world of the family: North American "Americans are spending more time cocooning at home"
   • 2. spray with a protective coating.

   Word Origin late 17th century: from French cocon, from medieval Provençal coucoun ‘eggshell, cocoon’, diminutive of coca ‘shell’. The verb dates from the mid 19th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. cocooner noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

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