silkworm Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun the commercially bred hairless white caterpillar of the domestic silkworm moth which spins a cocoon that can be processed to yield silk fiber; the principal source of commercial silk
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noun larva of a saturniid moth; spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon
wild wilkworm; giant silkworm.
WordNet
Silk"worm` noun
Etymology
AS.Definitions
(Zoöl.) The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon before changing to a pupa. ✍ The common species ( Bombyx mori ) feeds onm the leaves of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but has long been introduced into other countries of Asia and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus silkworm (Philosamia cynthia ) is a much larger species, of considerable importance, which has been introduced into Europe and America from China. The most useful American species is the Polyphemus. SeePolyphemus .
