preˈmoult, a. and n. Zool.
A. adj. [pre- B. 2.] Existing or occurring just before a change of plumage in birds or the shedding and replacement of the integument of insects, crustaceans, or reptiles. B. n. [pre- B. 1.] A premoult stage or period.
| 1957 R. A. H. Coombes in D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles VI. 312 (heading) The pre-moult migration of the sheld-duck. 1964 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. II. 303 At moult [of the crab, Carcinus maenas], uptake of water, averaging 66·3% of the premoult weight, takes place. 1967 P. A. Meglitsch Invertebr. Zool. xvi. 681/1 The physiology of most of the body parts [of arthropods] is affected by premolt. 1973 Nature 9 Mar. 133/2 An insect does not enter premoult if its thoracic glands have been removed. |