Definition

Noun: 1. A fine, strong, soft, and lustrous protein fiber: This fiber is produced by certain insect larvae, most notably silkworms, to form their cocoons. It is a natural animal fiber. 2. A fabric or textile material: This refers to cloth woven from silk fibers, known for its smooth texture, sheen, and luxurious quality. 3. Garments made from silk fabric: Often used in the plural form 'silks' to refer to clothing items like dresses, scarves, or ties. 4. A Queen's or King's Counsel (British legal slang): An informal term for a senior barrister appointed to the British monarch's counsel, derived from the silk gown they wear.

Usage and Examples

• As a material/fiber:
  • The caterpillar spins a cocoon made of silk.
  • Spider silk is incredibly strong for its weight.
• As a fabric/textile:
  • She wore a beautiful dress made of blue silk.
  • The pillowcase is pure silk and feels very smooth.
• Referring to garments (often plural):
  • The actor dressed in fine silks for the period drama.
• In British legal context:
  • After twenty years at the bar, she finally took silk. (Meaning: she was appointed as a Queen's/King's Counsel.)

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• To take silk: (British English) To be appointed as a Queen's or King's Counsel.
• To make a silk purse out of a sow's ear: An idiom meaning to create something of high quality from poor or unsuitable materials; to attempt the impossible or highly improbable.
  • You can't expect him to write a good report with that data; it's like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
• Silk-stocking: (Adjective, historical) Referring to wealthy or aristocratic people, from the expensive silk stockings they wore.
  • The silk-stocking district was home to the city's elite.

Variants and Related Words

• Silken (Adjective): Made of silk; or, resembling silk in smoothness and softness (e.g., ).
• Silky (Adjective): Having the smooth, soft, and shiny qualities of silk (e.g., , ).
• Silkworm (Noun): The caterpillar of the domesticated moth , which produces silk to make its cocoon.

Synonyms

• Fiber/Fibre: (For the raw material)
• Fabric/Cloth/Textile: (For the material)
• Satin: (A type of weave that often uses silk, known for its glossy surface).
• Taffeta: (A crisp, smooth fabric often made from silk).

Phrasal Verbs/Verb Phrases

• Hit the silk: (Military/Aviation slang, chiefly US) To bail out of an aircraft using a parachute.
  • When the engine failed, the pilot ordered the crew to hit the silk.

Noun

1. animal fibers produced by silkworms and other larvae that spin cocoons and by most spiders
2. a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae