1. the hard protective casing around a pupa, especially of a butterfly or moth
2. a stage of development or transformation
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The caterpillar formed a chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly.
• We found several chrysalises hanging from the milkweed plants.
• The monarch butterfly’s chrysalis is bright green with gold spots.
• After two weeks in the chrysalis, the butterfly was ready to emerge.
• The company is in a chrysalis stage, preparing for major changes.
• She viewed college as her chrysalis period of personal growth.