wild silk

noun

1. tussah.
2. British. raw silk.

wild silk

noun

1. silk produced by wild silkworms
2. a fabric made from this, or from short fibres of silk designed to imitate it

Word History and Origins

Origin of wild silk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Try your luck combing through the Goodwill Store on Waialae Avenue for discount prices on Reyn Spooner “aloha shirts” or comb the racks of hand-loomed wild silk or linen gauze clothing and scarves at Indigé Design.

From New York Times

Also, the wild silk has spots that cells naturally attach to, he says: “For other silks, they have to be decorated with chemicals that promote adherence. This can be complicated, expensive and potentially toxic.”

From Scientific American

Behind them the river pulsed through the darkness, shimmering like wild silk.

From Literature

Cotton is also grown extensively and forms the principal article of export, and a considerable quantity of wild silk is produced from the Fu-niu Shan.

From Project Gutenberg

Damhauja, the moon just before renewal; Darijua, gray squirrel; Halaia, morning star; Jupka, butterfly of the wild silk worm; Juiwaiyu, acorn of the Eastern black oak; Kechowala, blue jay; Mahari, Eastern black oak; Pahnino, a kind of ocean-shell; Periwiriwaiyu, another kind of Eastern black oak.

From Project Gutenberg