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

"I came into this filature when quite young, and it has taken me years to find out even the little I know now."

From The Story of Silk by Price, Hattie Longstreet

We have described the processes by which cocoons are ordinarily cooked and brushed, these being the first processes of the filature.

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

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

Shall we begin then our journey through the filature?

From The Story of Silk by Price, Hattie Longstreet