silesia

[ si-lee-zhuh, -shuh, sahy- ]
/ sɪˈli ʒə, -ʃə, saɪ- /

noun

a lightweight, smoothly finished, twilled fabric of acetate, rayon, or cotton, for garment linings.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of silesia

First recorded in 1665–70; named after Silesia

Words nearby silesia

silent partner, silent service, silent treatment, silent vote, silenus, silesia, silesian, silex, silhouette, silica, silica gel

Definition for silesia (2 of 2)

Silesia
[ si-lee-zhuh, -shuh, sahy- ]
/ sɪˈli ʒə, -ʃə, saɪ- /

noun

a region in central Europe along both banks of the upper Oder River, mainly in SW Poland and the N Czech Republic: formerly divided between Germany (which had the largest portion), Poland, and Czechoslovakia; by provision of the Potsdam agreement 1945, the greater part of German Silesia came under Polish administration; rich deposits of coal, iron, and other minerals.
German Schlesien. Polish Śląsk. Czech Slezsko.

OTHER WORDS FROM Silesia

Si·le·sian, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for silesia

British Dictionary definitions for silesia (1 of 2)

silesia
/ (saɪˈliːʃɪə) /

noun

a twill-weave fabric of cotton or other fibre, used esp for pockets, linings, etc

Word Origin for silesia

C17: Latinized form of German Schlesien Silesia

British Dictionary definitions for silesia (2 of 2)

Silesia
/ (saɪˈliːʃɪə) /

noun

a region of central Europe around the upper and middle Oder valley: mostly annexed by Prussia in 1742 but became almost wholly Polish in 1945; rich coal and iron-ore depositsPolish name: Śląsk Czech name: Slezsko German name: Schlesien
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