molt

US /moʊlt/

UK /moʊlt/

1.

shed old feathers, hair, or skin, or an old shell, to make way for a new growth

:

•

Birds molt their feathers once a year.

•

Snakes molt their skin as they grow.

:

shed cast off slough exuviate

1.

a period of molting

:

•

The bird is going through its annual molt.

•

You can see signs of molt on the snake's skin.

:

shedding ecdysis