noun
chrysalis; pupa
Entomological term for the stage between larva and adult in insects that undergo complete metamorphosis. Also used metaphorically for a transitional or preparatory stage.
毛虫が蛹になって、やがて蝶になった。
The caterpillar turned into a chrysalis and eventually became a butterfly.
彼の才能はまだ蛹の状態だ。
His talent is still in a pupal stage.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 蛹 is a phono-semantic compound with 虫 (insect) and 甬 (path, passage), possibly referring to the transformation passage.