sericulture

American  

[ser-i-kuhl-cher] / ˈsɛr ɪˌkʌl tʃər /

noun

1. the raising of silk worms for the production of raw silk.

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sericulture British  

/ ˈsɛrɪˌkʌltʃə /

noun

1. the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk

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Other Word Forms

• sericultural adjective
• sericulturist noun

Etymology

Origin of sericulture

1850–55; < Greek sḗr silkworm + -i- + culture

Example Sentences

Legend says the island used to be famous for sericulture and farmers would keep cats because they would chase away rats, protecting the silkworm cocoons from the rodents.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

The art of silk weaving and sericulture in Tuscany flourished in the 14th century; the main production was in Lucca, though it soon expanded to Florence, Venice and Genoa.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2022

Japanese farmers clop-clopped about their sericulture more cheerfully, for the sudden demand had shot raw silk prices 82% above the June low of $1.10 a pound.

From Time Magazine Archive

Organized trade is ancient: silk did not get to Rome because the Romans figured out sericulture; someone imported it from China.

From Time Magazine Archive

As a result, Byzantium became a center for sericulture.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides