chrysalis

[Klimt]

[kris-uh-lis]

1. the hard-shelled pupa of a moth or butterfly; an obtect pupa.

2. anything in the process of developing

His thoughts floated then serenely in the empyrean, and he felt towards her the horror that perhaps the painted butterfly, hovering about the flowers, feels to the filthy chrysalis from which it has triumphantly emerged.

[Slava]

[kris-uh-lis]

1. the hard-shelled pupa of a moth or butterfly; an obtect pupa.

2. anything in the process of developing

His thoughts floated then serenely in the empyrean, and he felt towards her the horror that perhaps the painted butterfly, hovering about the flowers, feels to the filthy chrysalis from which it has triumphantly emerged.

This is an excellent word to apply to human children, even the obtect part, which isn't a bad word in and of itself.

One couple I am close to here has two young children. It is most interesting to observe the progress of these two chrysalides. I wonder if I will still be here to see them cease to be obtect and spread their wings and fly.