browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
silk |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Silk \Silk\, n. [OE. silk, selk, AS seolc seoloc akin to Icel. silki, SW & Dan. silke; prob. through Slavic from an Oriental source; cf Lith. szilkai Russ. shelk', and also L. sericum Seric stuff, silk. Cf {Sericeous}. {Serge} a woolen stuff.] 1. The fine, soft thread produced by various species of caterpillars in forming the cocoons within which the worm is inclosed during the pupa state, especially that produced by the larv[ae] of {Bombyx mori}. 2. Hence thread spun, or cloth woven, from the above-named material. 3. That which resembles silk, as the filiform styles of the female flower of maize. {Raw silk}, silk as it is wound off from the cocoons, and before it is manufactured. {Silk cotton}, a cottony substance enveloping the seeds of the silk-cotton tree. {Silk-cotton tree} (Bot.), a name for several tropical trees of the genera {Bombax} and {Eriodendron}, and belonging to the order {Bombace[ae]}. The trees grow to an immense size, and have their seeds enveloped in a cottony substance, which is used for stuffing cushions, but can not be spun. {Silk flower}. (Bot.) a The silk tree. b A similar tree ({Calliandra trinervia}) of Peru. {Silk fowl} (Zo["o]l.), a breed of domestic fowls having silky plumage. {Silk gland} (Zo["o]l.), a gland which secretes the material of silk, as in spider or a silkworm; a sericterium. {Silk gown}, the distinctive robe of a barrister who has been appointed king's or queen's counsel; hence the counsel himself. Such a one has precedence over mere barristers, who wear stuff gowns. [Eng.] {Silk grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Stipa comata}) of the Western United States, which has very long silky awns. The name is also sometimes given to various species of the genera {Aqave} and {Yucca}. {Silk moth} (Zo["o]l.), the adult moth of any silkworm. See {Silkworm}. {Silk shag}, a coarse, rough-woven silk, like plush, but with a stiffer nap. {Silk spider} (Zo["o]l.), a large spider ({Nephila plumipes}), native of the Southern United States, remarkable for the large quantity of strong silk it produces and for the great disparity in the sizes of the sexes. {Silk thrower}, {Silk throwster}, one who twists or spins silk, and prepares it for weaving. --Brande & C. {Silk tree} (Bot.), an Asiatic leguminous tree ({Albizzia Julibrissin}) with finely bipinnate leaves, and large flat pods; -- so called because of the abundant long silky stamens of its blossoms. Also called {silk flower}. {Silk vessel}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Silk gland}, above. {Virginia silk} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Periploca Gr[ae]ca}) of the Milkweed family, having a silky tuft on the seeds. It is native in Southern Europe. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Floss \Floss\ (?; 195), n. [It. floscio flabby, soft, fr L. fluxus flowing, loose, slack. See {Flux}, n.] 1. (Bot.) The slender styles of the pistillate flowers of maize; also called {silk}. 2. Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering. {Floss silk}, silk that has been twisted, and which retains its loose and downy character. It is much used in embroidery. Called also {floxed silk}. {Floss thread}, a kind of soft flaxen yarn or thread, used for embroidery; -- called also {linen floss}, and {floss yarn}. --McElrath. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: silk n 1: a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae 2: fibers from silkworm cocoons provide threads for knitting From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: Silk Heb. demeshek "damask," silk cloth manufactured at Damascus, Amos 3:12. A.V., "in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch;" R.V., "in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed" (marg., "in Damascus on a bed"). Heb. meshi, (Ezek. 16:10, 13, rendered "silk"). In Gen. 41:42 (marg. A.V.), Prov. 31:22 (R.V., "fine linen"), the word silk" ought to be "fine linen." Silk was common in New Testament times (Rev. 18:12).
more about silk