moult
The process of shedding or losing a covering of fur, feathers or skin etc.
Example
“Some birds change colour during their winter moult.”
Other meanings
The skin or feathers cast off during the process of moulting.
Synonyms
- molting
Related words
- postmoult
- premoult
- catastrophic moult
Word history
From Latin "muto" (mūtō, mūtāre).
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “moult” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.