cocoon

/kəˈkuːn/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈkuːn/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈkün/ (ame, mw)

cocoon — 名詞

  • cocoonsingular
  • cocoonsplural

1. a silky case that an insect larva or a spider makes to protect itself while it g

1.名詞B1
釋義

繭

昆蟲幼蟲或蜘蛛吐絲製成的保護層

a silky case that an insect larva or a spider makes to protect itself while it grows and changes into an adult

例句

The caterpillar spun a silken cocoon and stayed inside it for several weeks.

那隻毛毛蟲吐絲結成一個繭，在裡面待了好幾個星期。

verb pattern: spin / build + cocoon

The children found a silkworm's cocoon hanging from a mulberry tree in the garden.

孩子們在花園的桑樹上發現了一個蠶繭。

cocoon as a found object in nature

同義詞
  • chrysalis

    used only for butterflies; hard shell rather than silky case

  • covering

    more general, less precise for this biological meaning

用法筆記

Do not confuse cocoon with chrysalis: moths and some other insects make cocoons from silk; butterflies form a hard chrysalis, not a cocoon.

常見錯誤

❌The butterfly came out of the cocoon.
✅The moth came out of the cocoon.
💡Most butterflies come out of a chrysalis, not a cocoon; cocoons are typical of moths.

2. a quiet, comfortable place or situation that makes someone feel safe and protect

2.名詞B2
釋義

安樂窩

讓人感到安心舒適的地方

a quiet, comfortable place or situation that makes someone feel safe and protected from stress or trouble

例句

The writer retreated into the warm cocoon of her study after a long day.

工作一整天之後，這位作家躲進溫暖的書房安樂窩裡。

metaphorical use: cocoon of [place]

The small seaside village became a peaceful cocoon where the family could heal together.

這個寧靜的海邊小鎮成了一家人能夠一起療傷的安樂窩。

同義詞
  • haven

    suggests a place of safety from danger, more formal

  • sanctuary

    emphasises peace and safety, slightly more formal

  • refuge

    focuses on escape from something threatening

反義詞
  • exposure

    the state of being unprotected or vulnerable

用法筆記

Often used with a modifier (warm, safe, peaceful, protective) to describe the quality of the protective environment. Usually singular.

常見錯誤

❌She lives in a cocoon.
✅She lives in a warm cocoon of family and friends.
💡The metaphorical use typically includes a modifier describing what makes the place safe or comfortable.

cocoon — 動詞