Silk
Pronunciation
- enPR: sÄlk, IPA: /sɪlk/
- Rhymes: -ɪlk
Origin
Old English sioloc, seolc. The immediate source is uncertain; it probably reached English via the Baltic trade routes (cognates in Old Norse silki, Russian шёлк, obsolete Lithuanian zilkaÄ©), all ultimately from Late Latin sÄ“ricus, from Latin sericus, from Ancient Greek σηÏικός, ultimately from an Oriental language (represented now by e.g. Chinese çµ² (sÄ«, "silk")). Compare Seres.
Full definition of silk
Noun
silk
(plural silks)- (uncountable) A fine fiber excreted by the silkworm or other arthropod (such as a spider).The silk thread was barely visible.
- (uncountable) A fine, soft cloth woven from silk fibers.I had a small square of silk, but it wasn't enough to make what I wanted.
- That which resembles silk, such as the filiform styles of the female flower of maize.
- The gown worn by a Senior (i.e. Queen's/King's) Counsel.
- (colloquial) A Senior (i.e. Queen's/King's) Counsel.
Derived terms
Adjective
silk
- Made of silk.
- 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 1/2, It was flood-tide along Fifth Avenue ; … ; pretty women glanced out from limousine and tonneau ; young men …, silk-hatted, frock-coated, the crooks of their walking sticks tucked up under their left arms, passed on the Park side.
- Looking like silk, silken.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 2, Now that she had rested and had fed from the luncheon tray Mrs. Broome had just removed, she had reverted to her normal gaiety. She looked cool in a grey tailored cotton dress with a terracotta scarf and shoes and her hair a black silk helmet.