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molt

(mōlt)

v. molt·ed, molt·ing, molts

v.intr.

To shed 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).

1. The act or process of molting.

2. The material cast off during molting.

[Alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -mūtian (in bemūtian, to exchange for), from Latin mūtāre, to change; see mei-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

molter n.

(click for a larger image)

molt

king penguin molting

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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