: sloughed off natural animal coverings (such as the skins of snakes)

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from exuere to take off, from ex- + -uere to put on; akin to Old Church Slavic obuti to put on (footwear)

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exuviae was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Exuviae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exuviae. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

: sloughed-off natural coverings of animals (as the skins of snakes)
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