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ecdysis

noun/ˈɛkdaɪsɪs/

definition

the process of shedding old skin or exoskeleton in certain animals

example

During the warmer months, many reptiles undergo ecdysis, allowing them to grow and renew their skin.

synonyms
moltingsheddingsloughing
word origin — from Greek 'ekdysis', meaning 'a putting off' or 'a shedding'

Word Ultra — Set 215

Set 215 of Word Ultra covers 5 words: ecdysis, camisado, opisthodomos, historiography, heteronym. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. ecdysis · noun/ˈɛkdaɪsɪs/

    the process of shedding old skin or exoskeleton in certain animals

    During the warmer months, many reptiles undergo ecdysis, allowing them to grow and renew their skin.

    Synonyms: molting, shedding, sloughing

    Origin: from Greek 'ekdysis', meaning 'a putting off' or 'a shedding'

  2. camisado · noun/ˌkæm.ɪˈzeɪ.doʊ/

    a surprise attack during the night

    The enemy planned a camisado, hoping to catch the guards off-guard as they changed shifts during the darkest hours of the night.

    Synonyms: night assault, night raid, night attack

    Origin: The word camisado is derived from the Spanish term 'camisado', meaning 'shirt or nightgown', referring to the practice of soldiers fighting in their nightclothes or shirts during a surprise night attack.

  3. opisthodomos · noun/əˈpɪs.θəˌdoʊ.məs/

    a chamber at the back of a temple, often used for storage or as a sanctuary

    The ancient temple's opisthodomos served as a sacred sanctuary, where valuable offerings were kept safe from the elements.

    Synonyms: chamber, room, storage space

    Origin: From Ancient Greek 'οπίσθιον' (opisthion) meaning 'back' and 'δομός' (domos) meaning 'house' or 'room.'

  4. historiography · noun/hɪsˈtɔriˌɑɡrəfi/

    the study of the methodology and principles of historical writing and interpretation

    The historiography of the American Revolution has evolved significantly, reflecting new interpretations and methodologies that challenge traditional narratives.

    Synonyms: historical writing, historical methodology, historical analysis

    Origin: derived from the Greek 'historia' meaning 'inquiry' or 'knowledge acquired by investigation', combined with the suffix '-graphy' meaning 'writing' or 'drawing'.

  5. heteronym · noun/ˈhɛt.ə.rə.nɪm/

    a word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning and often a different pronunciation

    The word 'lead' is a heteronym because it can mean to guide someone, pronounced 'leed', or refer to a type of metal, pronounced 'led'.

    Synonyms: homograph, heterophone

    Origin: The term 'heteronym' comes from the Greek roots 'heteros' meaning 'other' and 'onuma' meaning 'name'.