filature

[ fil-uh-cher, -choor ]

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.

filature

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of filature¹

1750–60; < French < Medieval Latin fīlātūra the spinning art, equivalent to fīlāt ( us ) spun (past participle of fīlāre; filament ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of filature¹

C18: from Medieval Latin fīlātūra the art of spinning, from fīlāre to spin thread; see filament

Example Sentences

The women reelers in the silk filatures of Shanghai get from eight to eleven cents for eleven hours of work.

From Project Gutenberg

Greece has many small filatures willing to take consignments of even 10 bales, and the shipment direct or via Alexandria is easier.

From Project Gutenberg

There are filatures for winding silk at Shanghai, Canton, Chifu and other cities.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The cocoons are next sent to the reelers or filatures.

From Project Gutenberg