silk Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

WordNet

Silk noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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 larvæ 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.

Webster 1913