cocoon
UK[kəˈkuːn]US[kəˈkuːn]
n
a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae
n
a covering that prevents something from being harmed or disturbed
v
to protect someone or something by surrounding them completely
Etymology
the word 'cocoon' entered english in the late 17th century from the french 'cocon'. the french term derived from the provençal 'coucoun', which was a diminutive of 'coca', meaning 'shell'. this, in turn, can be traced back to the latin 'coccum', referring to a berry or a gall (a type of insect-produced swelling on plants), due to the similar rounded, enclosed shape. the semantic journey thus moved from a general term for a small, round shell or berry to the specific, silky protective case spun by insect larvae, perfectly capturing its form and function.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
the caterpillar spun a silky cocoon around itself before metamorphosing into a moth.
living in a small town, he felt he was in a cocoon, sheltered from the complexities of city life.
she decided to cocoon herself at home for the weekend, away from all social media and news.