molt

molt  (mlt)

v. molt·ed, molt·ing, molts

v.intr.

To shed periodically part or all of a coat or an outer covering, such as feathers, cuticle, or skin, which is then replaced by a new growth.

v.tr.

To shed or cast off (a bodily covering).

n.

1. The act or process of molting.

2. The material cast off during molting.

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[Alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -mtian (in bemtian, to exchange for), from Latin mtre, to change; see mei-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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molter n.

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molt [məʊlt]

vb & n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the usual US spelling of moult

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molt  (mlt)

To shed an outer covering, such as skin or feathers, for replacement by a new growth. Many snakes, birds, and arthropods molt.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	molt - periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles ecdysis, molting, moult, moulting shedding, sloughing - the process whereby something is shed
Verb	1.	molt - cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers; "our dog sheds every Spring" exuviate, moult, slough, shed desquamate, peel off - peel off in scales; "dry skin desquamates" cast off, shed, throw off, throw away, shake off, throw, cast, drop - get rid of; "he shed his image as a pushy boss"; "shed your clothes"