silkenadj.
/ˈsɪlk(ə)n/, U.S. /ˈsɪlkən/ I. Senses relating to silk.
1. Made or consisting of silk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > silk > [adjective]
silkenc888
bombycine1599
silky1611
bombycinous1656
α.
β. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2270 Sulkene [c1300 Otho of solke] wes þat seil-clæð.a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 278 Yhiled myd a silken [W. selkyn] webbe.a1400–50 Alexander 1520 He..sammes þaim on aithire side with silken rapis.1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. vii. 142 A silken threde so small that no man myght see hit.1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Dj A silken fyllet of scarlet colour, tied about their heades.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. i. sig. A4v Like a silken veile in compasse round About her backe. View more context for this quotation1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 11 They would not suffer a man to weare a ring, or a woman silken gown.1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey II. vi. 95 The silken reins Shine in her hand.1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall (1787) II. xxii. 343 Their silken robes were embroidered with gold.1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. I. iii. 64 The caterpillar attached itself to a leaf by a silken girth.1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xix. 29 Merry laughs were heard through the silken curtains.figurative.1673 J. Dryden Marriage a-la-Mode ii. i. 25 Though Nature gives you pow'r, To bind his duty, 'tis with silken Bonds.1748 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs in Medit. & Contempl. (ed. 4) I. 37 How silken the Yoke to such a Pair, and what Blessings were twisted with such Bands!1799 R. Sickelmore Agnes & Leonora II. 68 He became firmly attached, in the silken bond of friendship, to a youth.c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xv Seolocenra hrægla mid mistlicum bleowum hi ne gimdon.
9.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 195 Bombicinum, seolcen gegerla.
c1160 Hatton Gosp. Matt. xxvii. 28 Hyo..scrydden hine mid selekene reade sicchele [read scyccelse].
c1275 Sinners Beware 164 in Old Eng. Misc. 77 Heo draweþ heore wede Mid seolkene þrede.
a1400 [see β. ]. a1400 Pistill of Susan 197 Nou is Susan..sengeliche arayed, In a selken schert.
1475–6 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 362 iiij vnce j quarter of selken frenge, v s. ij d.
2. Worked in silk. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > sewn or ornamented textile fabric > [adjective] > embroidered > with specific materials
silken1587
candle-wick1930
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1346/2 Those silken pictures hallowed by the pope.
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. Kv Oft did she heaue her Napkin to her eyne, Which on it had conceited charecters: Laundring the silken figures in the brine.
3. Producing silk; characterized by the prevalence of silk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > silk > [adjective] > producing silk
silken1601
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 407 Insomuch as we need not wonder any more at the Seres or Indians for their cotton and silken trees.
1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in Lamia & Other Poems 93 The maiden's chamber, silken, hush'd, and chaste.
1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in Lamia & Other Poems 98 Spiced dainties, every one, From silken Samarcand.
4. Clad in silk. (See also 8.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing specific material
woolwardc1315
under line (occasionally in line)c1330
fox-furred1592
furred1592
tuftaffeta1598
tissued?16..
satin1603
silk1603
russet1604
tuftaffety1612
plush1615
sericated1623
sheepskinned1628
silken1640
lawny1647
plushed1650
satined1652
harden1654
sackclotheda1656
bearskinned1694
well-furred?1707
furry1717
brocaded1767
flannelled1784
lawned1798
buckskinned1829
corduroyed1832
silked1837
silkened1841
friezy1849
fustianed1849
velveted1850
buffed1863
buckramed1880
craped1880
crapy1891
velveteened1896
mohaired1914
tweeded1921
tweedy1923
leather1961
1640 E. Chilmead tr. J. Ferrand Ερωτομανια 51 Every silken coxcombe that has but a Page at his heels.
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche vii. cxxi. 105 The Inns by silken and by purple Things Were taken up.
1738 S. Johnson London 164 With brisker air the silken courtiers gaze.
1806 R. Mant Poems i. 17 And distant in the glittering sunshine ride The silken sons of luxury and pride.
1820 W. Scott Abbot II. v. 156 Her four noble Maries, and all their silken train.
1896 Daily News 2 July 9/2 One would look instinctively for a vision of silken ankles and the red drugget on the pavement.
5. Of or pertaining to silk stuffs or goods.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from silk > [adjective]
Seric1653
silken1719
Serian1865
1719 W. Wood Surv. Trade (ed. 2) 219 The Encouragement of our Woollen Manufacture; the Consequence of which, is the Encouragement of the Silken.
II. Extended uses: like silk.
6. figurative.1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 234 Silken skin, in good humour. ‘He has a fine silken skin to-day.’
a. Silky, silk-like; soft; glossy, shining, lustrous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [adjective] > lustrous or shining with reflected light
browna1000
brightOE
cleara1300
slighta1300
burnedc1384
burnishedc1400
orientc1400
orientalc1450
sheeningc1480
refulgenta1500
silken1513
lustrantc1550
glossy1556
crisp1567
lustring1582
shiny1590
of shine1601
glossful1606
lustry1610
lustrousa1616
nitent1616
illustriousa1626
polished1649
lustrious1651
sheeny1673
shining1674
splendy1683
glazy1724
smolt1837
lustreful1843
lustred1858
sheened1920
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > like specific substance or material
silken1513
marble1558
ivorya1586
velvet1592
satin1605
silka1616
velvet-like1677
satin-like1680
satined1693
satiny1693
velvety1752
marbly1814
satin-smooth1838
ivorine1888
ivoried1890
swanskin1925
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid xii. Prol. 129 The balmy vapour from thar sylkyn croppis Distylland hailsum..hunny droppis.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints sig. N4 Now blessed be the day, That I see..your silken hyde Fil'd with round flesh.
1607 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy of Warwicke (Hunterian Club) 8 Pleasing, smooth, and silken skin.
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. K2v His browny locks did hang in crooked curles, And euery..wind Vpon his lippes their silken parcels hurles.
1673 J. Milton On Death Fair Infant i, in Poems (new ed.) 17 O Fairest flower.., Soft silken Primrose fading timelesslie.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 63 Sleeps are sweeter on the silken Ground. View more context for this quotation
1820 P. B. Shelley Œdipus Tyrannus ii. 30 The milk-white bulls..in fresh dews..Sleeking their silken hair.
1857 W. A. Miller Elements Chem.: Org. (1862) v. §3. 362 It crystallizes in anhydrous silken needles.
1871 F. T. Palgrave Lyrical Poems 76 All day between them in silence The silken butterflies glide.
b. spec. in scientific names (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Cotine, Venice Sumach, silken Sumach, red Sumach.
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. i. 221 Silken Carp, Cyprinus Sericeus... Brilliant violet-silvery Carp... Native of slowly-running streams in many parts of Dauria.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 111 The Silken Carpet (Alcis sericearia, Curtis) appears in July. Wings..silky-brown, or brick-red.
7.
a. Of words, etc.: Elegant; ingratiating, soft, flattering.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective]
ficklinga1240
glozing1297
blandingc1315
blandishingc1374
glaveringc1394
fleering?a1400
sleekedc1400
faginga1425
smoothc1450
flattering1484
cogging1542
flatterous1546
butterya1585
smooth-tongueda1593
oily1598
silken1598
slick-tongued1598
soothing1599
sleek1601
slick1606
blandiloquous1615
supellectile1615
colloguing1620
losengeous1632
oiled-tongued1632
daubing1655
blandiloquious1689
smooth-booted1706
palavering1764
pill-gilding1764
oily-tongued1788
buttering1789
sleeky1810
smooth-spoken1821
oleaginous1833
butteraceous1837
saponaceous1837
soft-soapy1849
soapy1854
blarneying1884
smarmy1924
sweet-talking1956
smoothie1959
smarming1970
blandiloquent-
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective] > mellifluous
sugaredc1440
mellifluous?a1475
sugratife1509
sugurat?a1513
sugary1591
silver1594
silken1598
mellfluvious1600
mellifluent1601
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 406 Taffata phrases, silken tearmes precise. View more context for this quotation
1644 C. Jessop Angel Church of Ephesus 62 A late Patron of Episcopacie, who seemeth to be very neere of kinne to the Remonstrant in confidence and silken language.
1672 J. Owen Disc. Evangelical Love iii. 80 Love..may work as regularly by sharp cutting Rebukes, as by the most silken and compliant expressions.
1703 N. Rowe Ulysses i. i. 307 I cannot court you with a silken Tale.
1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. x. 163 To be restrained by such mild and silken Language.
1955 E. Pound Classic Anthol. i. 20 Lady of silken word.
b. Similarly of persons, their looks, voice, etc.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iii. 53 His simple truth must be abusde, By silken slie insinuating iackes. View more context for this quotation
1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 42 Then with his silken face [he] Smiles on the holy crue.
1763 C. Churchill Prophecy of Famine 13 Thus spake a form, by silken smile, and tone Dull and unvaried, for the Laureat known.
1885 Manch. Examiner 27 Apr. 5/4 Mr. Russell's voice, usually so soft and silken, was absolutely husky with passion.
8. Effeminate, luxurious.In some examples sense 4 may be intended.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [adjective] > excessively or effeminately luxurious
Sardanapalical1555
Cleopatrical1597
sybarite1599
silkena1616
sybariticala1617
sybaritic1619
sybaritican1623
sybaritish1631
sybarital1839
Sardanapalian1863
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. i. 70 Shall a beardlesse boy, A cockred-silken wanton braue our fields? View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. ii. 0. 2 Now all the Youth of England are on fire, And silken Dalliance in the Wardrobe lyes. View more context for this quotation
1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian Imperiall Hist. 65 These Silken Syrians are no Souldiers Martiall.
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) xvi. clx. 254 Whilst fooled Thou..Lin'st thy Commands with silken downy Ease.
1703 N. Rowe Ulysses ii. i. 433 The silken Minions of the Samian Court.
a1771 T. Gray Agrippina in Poems (1775) 131 The silken son of dalliance, nurs'd in ease.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 99 Baal himself Ne'er fought more fiercely to win empire, than His silken son to save it.
1876 L. Morris Epic of Hades ii. 57 Their silken ease And royal luxury changed to blood and tears.
9.
a. Soft, sweet, balmy; gentle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adjective] > not harsh or gentle
meekc1230
nesha1250
tender1340
softa1398
sober1455
gentle1508
silken1601
milken1648
rose water1837
paddy1962
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love iii. v. sig. F4 Silken thoughts, attend this deare Beauty. View more context for this quotation
1601 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor iii. iii. sig. G2v In smoothe silken peace. View more context for this quotation
a1635 R. Corbet Poems (1807) 224 Those deeds..which ne'er affright The silken slumbers in the night.
1894 ‘G. Egerton’ Discords 178 It is so good to sit thus bathed in silken air.
1895 W. Wright Palmyra & Zenobia iii. 23 A splendid charger, whose neck..swayed hither and thither to her silken touch.
b. Of Sounds: Soft, low.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [adjective] > gentle or not harsh
smalleOE
softc1230
gentle1548
softly1576
melting1585
mellow1650
dulcified1684
tender1709
silken1785
smooth1836
velvety1896
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 212 Time..has a dove's wing, Unsoil'd, and swift, and of a silken sound.
1803 H. K. White Clifton Grove 8 The grey-owls silken flight.
1844 E. B. Browning Lady Geraldine's Courtship v In her lovely silken murmur.
c. Of wine: Mellow, silky.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > wine > qualities or characteristics of wine > [adjective] > mellow
mellow1673
silkena1704
a1704 T. Brown To J. Haines in Wks. (1707) I. ii. 30 'Tis all Sincerity, a Silken Wine; It Charms the Taste, and Gratifies the Nose.
Compounds
General attributive. C1.
silken-coated adj.
ΚΠ
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 iv. ii. 127 As for these silken coated slaues I passe not a pinne.
silken-fastened adj.
ΚΠ
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise i. 217 A silken-fastened book.
silken-folded adj.
ΚΠ
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iv. 67 Fancies hatch'd In silken-folded idleness.
silken-leafed adj.
ΚΠ
1832 W. Motherwell Poems 76 'Tis softer than down, or The silken-leafed flower.
silken-sailed adj.
ΚΠ
1832 Ld. Tennyson Lady of Shalott i, in Poems (new ed.) 10 Unhailed The shallop flitteth silkensailed.
silken-sandalled adj.
ΚΠ
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess Prol. 8 Her tiny silken-sandal'd foot.
silken-threaded adj.
ΚΠ
1767 Philos. Trans. 1766 (Royal Soc.) 56 58 A Newtonian telescope..furnished with a silken-threaded micrometer.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise i. 338 In her lap her open hand did lie, The silken-threaded needle close thereby.
silken-winged adj.
ΚΠ
a1822 P. B. Shelley To Mary in Poet. Wks. (1839) IV. 5 What hand would crush the silken-winged fly.
C2.
silken-shining adj.
ΚΠ
1887 G. Meredith Ballads & Poems 157 O'er the silken-shining pastures of the continents and the isles.
silken-soft adj.
ΚΠ
1859 Ld. Lytton Wanderer (ed. 2) 199 Your young feet there, Silken-soft in each quaint slipper.
C3.
silken-stapler n.
ΚΠ
1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 74 Go we, let vs learne the silken-staplers trade.
Derivatives
ˈsilken v. transitive to invest with a silky lustre.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [verb (transitive)] > polish or cause to shine with reflected light
frot?c1225
burnishc1325
polisha1382
varnishc1405
silvera1592
shine1604
frub1611
rutilate1623
silken1757
gloss1762
pearl1843
gloze1880
lap1881
sheen1901
1757 J. Dyer Fleece i. 30 Nightly to house them [sc. sheep] dry on fern or straw, Silk'ning their fleeces.
ˈsilkened adj. dressed in silk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing specific material
woolwardc1315
under line (occasionally in line)c1330
fox-furred1592
furred1592
tuftaffeta1598
tissued?16..
satin1603
silk1603
russet1604
tuftaffety1612
plush1615
sericated1623
sheepskinned1628
silken1640
lawny1647
plushed1650
satined1652
harden1654
sackclotheda1656
bearskinned1694
well-furred?1707
furry1717
brocaded1767
flannelled1784
lawned1798
buckskinned1829
corduroyed1832
silked1837
silkened1841
friezy1849
fustianed1849
velveted1850
buffed1863
buckramed1880
craped1880
crapy1891
velveteened1896
mohaired1914
tweeded1921
tweedy1923
leather1961
1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. xxx. 244 The cheering smiles and graces of silkened beauty.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.c888