filature

American  

[fil-uh-cher, -choor] / ˈfɪl ə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. the act of forming into threads.

2. a reel for drawing off silk from cocoons.

3. the reeling of silk from cocoons.

4. an establishment for reeling silk.

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filature British  

/ ˈfɪlətʃə /

noun

1. the act or process of spinning silk, etc, into threads

2. the reel used for this

3. a place where such spinning or reeling is done

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Etymology

Origin of filature

1750–60; < French < Medieval Latin fīlātūra the spinning art, equivalent to fīlāt ( us ) spun (past participle of fīlāre; see filament) + -ūra -ure

Example Sentences

Each basin at the filature had two apprentices, besides others who were employed in sorting the balls, &c., and the various operations connected with the trade, employed nearly forty persons.

From Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe by Harris, Thaddeus Mason

Here in Pont-de-Saint-Michel almost every one is employed in the Gaspard filature, or in the throwing mills; and if not, the people raise silkworms.

From The Story of Silk by Price, Hattie Longstreet

In 1756, three thousand seven hundred and eighty-three pounds and one ounce of cocoons were received at the filature, and two hundred and sixty-eight pounds of raw silk reeled.

From Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe by Harris, Thaddeus Mason

They should, on the other hand, be sold for the filature.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 492, June 6, 1885 by Various

Each filature endeavors as far as possible to collect, stifle, and dry the cocoons in its own neighborhood; but dried cocoons, nevertheless, give rise to an important commerce, having its center at Marseilles.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 620, November 19,1887 by Various