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

See Examples For:

filature

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 Hattie Longstreet Price

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 Thaddeus Mason Harris

But this branch of industry and commerce was fast waning before the increasing culture of more sure and lucrative products, and only one hundred and thirty-seven different persons brought cocoons to the filature this year.

From Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe by Thaddeus Mason Harris

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 Hattie Longstreet Price