Silk

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Silk

Silk (/sɪlk/; from Old English: sioloc) is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons.

Etymology

The word "silk" comes from the Old English word "sioloc", derived from the Greek "σηρικός" (serikos), meaning "silken". The word was adopted into Latin as "sericum".

Production

Silk is produced by several insects, but generally only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for textile manufacturing. There has been some research into other types of silk, which differ at the molecular level. Silk production is a lengthy process and involves the care of the silkworms, the extraction of the silk, and the weaving of the fabric.

Uses

Silk's absorbency makes it comfortable to wear in warm weather and while active. Its low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather. It is often used for clothing such as shirts, ties, blouses, formal dresses, high fashion clothes, lingerie, pajamas, robes, dress suits, sun dresses, and Eastern folk costumes. For practical use, silk is excellent as clothing that protects from many biting insects that would ordinarily pierce clothing, such as mosquitoes and horseflies. Silk uses are vast and varied.

Related Terms

  • Fibroin: The structural center of the silk, made of protein.
  • Sericulture: The production of silk and the rearing of silkworms for this purpose.
  • Silkworm: The larva or caterpillar of the domestic silk moth, which spins a silk cocoon that is processed to yield silk fiber.
  • Silk Moth: The adult phase of the life cycle of a silkworm, which lays the eggs that hatch into silk-producing larvae.

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