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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Shall we begin then our journey through the filature?

From The Story of Silk by Price, Hattie Longstreet

Accordingly Pierre's box of lunch was stowed away in Henri's locker, and speeding across the little bridge that connected the filature with the throwing mills, the two boys entered the great factories.

From The Story of Silk by Price, Hattie Longstreet

The cocoons delivered at the filature in 1760, weighed seven thousand nine hundred and eighty-three pounds, and there were spun eight hundred and thirty-nine pounds.

From Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe by Harris, Thaddeus Mason

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

The expense of the culture was large this year, owing to the erection of the filature, &c., which swelled the sum to 609_l_.

From Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe by Harris, Thaddeus Mason

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