a fine continuous protein fibre produced by various insect larvae, usu for cocoons; esp a lustrous tough elastic fibre produced by silkworms and used for textiles
thread, yarn, or fabric made from silk filaments
Brit, informal a King's or Queen's Counsel
(in pl) the cap and shirt of a jockey made in the registered racing colour of his or her stable
a silky material or filament, or silky fibres
a silky material or filament, e.g. that produced by a spider
the tuft of fine fibres at the tip of an ear of maize
take silk
Brit to become a Queen's or King's Counsel
[Old English seolc from late Latin sericum, neuter of sericus silken, ultimately from Greek Sēres, the inhabitants of the Far Eastern countries where silk was first made; (sense 3) from the silk gown that they wear]