silkworm
Americannoun
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the larva of the Chinese silkworm moth, Bombyx mori, which spins a cocoon of commercially valuable silk.
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the larva of any of several moths of the family Saturniidae, which spins a silken cocoon.
noun
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the larva of the Chinese moth Bombyx mori, that feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree: widely cultivated as a source of silk
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any of various similar or related larvae
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the moth of any of these larvae
Etymology
Origin of silkworm
before 1000; Middle English sylkewyrme, Old English seolcwyrm. See silk, worm
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.
"Silkworm silk is presently the only animal silk fiber commercialized on a large scale, with well-established rearing techniques," said Mi.
From Science Daily • Sep. 20, 2023
The Silkworm is a type of coastal defense cruise missile that Iran has been known to use, and the Iran has backed the Shiite Houthi rebels.
From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2016
Since the books came out, she’s published three novels that take place outside the wizarding world: The Casual Vacancy, The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm.
From Time • Jul. 30, 2015
Amazon is in a contract dispute with Rowling's U.S. publisher, Hachette Book Group, and isn't accepting pre-orders for "The Silkworm" and other Hachette releases.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2014
And far below, in the great hollow stone of the peach, the Glow-worm was lighting up the room so that the two spinners, the Silkworm and Miss Spider, could see what they were doing.
From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
