viscose

[ vis-kohs ]

noun

1. a viscous solution prepared by treating cellulose with caustic soda and carbon bisulfide: used in manufacturing regenerated cellulose fibers, sheets, or tubes, as rayon or cellophane.
2. viscose rayon.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or made from viscose.
2. viscous.

viscose

/ ˈvɪskəʊs /

noun

1. 1. a viscous orange-brown solution obtained by dissolving cellulose in sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide. It can be converted back to cellulose by an acid, as in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane
   2. ( as modifier )

      viscose rayon

2. rayon made from this material

adjective

1. another word for viscous

Word History and Origins

Origin of viscose¹

1350–1400 viscose fordef 4; 1895–1900 viscose fordef 1; viscose ( indef 4 ) < Late Latin viscōsus viscous ( -ose ¹ ); viscose ( indef 1 ) < Latin visc ( um ) birdlime + -ose ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of viscose¹

C19: from Late Latin viscōsus full of birdlime, sticky, from viscum birdlime; see viscid

Example Sentences

Rayon, viscose, all the leaps and bounds made in synthetics — don’t you believe in science?

From Los Angeles Times

At present, viscose textiles are made of biomass from the forest, and there is no such thing as fully recycled viscose.

From Science Daily

He sometimes chooses wool or silk, but he especially likes a linen-and-viscose blend: “It’s got that natural nubbiness of a linen, but then the viscose gives it a bit more of a refined sheen.”

From Seattle Times

Or the bright orange star fish bustier dress in viscose, which, when worn to something like a waterfront wedding, will prompt stares and questions.

From Los Angeles Times

One constant theme throughout the collection was sheerness: cotton and viscose tops with lace bras peeking through, and whole outfits covered with organza and silk that muted colors underneath.

From Seattle Times