In a natural state; not yet processed or worked. Of a fibre used in the manufacture of cloth: unprocessed; spec. (of cotton) that has been…

Floss silk, or silk thread resembling this, used esp. (in later use) in embroidery. Also more fully filoselle silk.

Wound on a reel.

Of silk: having had its natural gum (sericin) removed, and hence not stiff in texture; degummed. Chiefly in soft silk. Cf. hard, adj. 1h.

Freed from gum; detached from being gummed.

An exceptionally white kind of raw silk which can be dyed without first removing the natural gum and is used in crêpe weaving. Frequently attributive.