noun.
A form which butterflies, moths, and most other insects assume when they abandon the larval or caterpillar state and before they arrive at their winged or perfect state; specifically, the pupa of a butterfly.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
noun.
The pupa state of certain insects, esp. of butterflies, from which the perfect insect emerges. See pupa, and aurelia (a).
noun.
The pupa of a butterfly or moth, enclosed inside a cocoon, in which metamorphosis takes place
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
noun.
pupa of a moth or butterfly enclosed in a cocoon
Word Usage
"As soon as it is grown big enough and fat enough, the grub hangs itself up as a "chrysalis" which is a Greek word that may be freely rendered into "golden jewel.""