n.
- a fine, strong, soft lustrous fibre produced by silkworms in making cocoons.
- thread or fabric made from this fibre.
-
(silks)
garments made from silk, especially as worn by a jockey in the colours of a particular horse owner.
- Brit. informal a Queen's (or King's) Counsel.
[so named because of the right accorded to wear a gown made of silk.]
-
(silks)
the silky styles of the female maize flower.
Phrase
- take silk
Brit. become a Queen's (or King's) Counsel.
Derivative
Etymology
OE sioloc, seolec, from late L. sericum, neut. of L. sericus, based on Gk Sēres, the name given to the inhabitants of the Far Eastern countries from which silk first came overland to Europe.