Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Silk fiber from the finest part of the cocoon, carded and spun but not twisted, so as to be extremely soft and downy in its surface while retaining a high luster. It is used chiefly for embroidery. Filoselle often replaces it.
- noun Loose or broken filaments of silk from the cocoons.
- noun A soft, coarse yarn made from silk and used in making shawls, bands, and ordinary silk fabrics.
Etymologies
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Examples
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‘I should like to work it into a chair-back instead of floss-silk,’ said the other twin.
Doctor Thorne 2004
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Feisal was on the hilltop, on the very edge, black against the sun, whose light threw a queer haze about his slender figure, and suffused his head with gold, through the floss-silk of his head-cloth.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom Thomas Edward 2003
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The Nubians and Indians use the filaments of the fruit as tinder; they become white and shining as floss-silk.
Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah 2003
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A light whole-cane rod of stiff build, about 16 ft. in length, is required with a floss-silk line light enough to be carried out on the breeze; the "dap"
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 Various
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"Dr. Mackenzie," said Jane quietly, "may I ask why you described me as fair; and my very straight, heavy, plainly coiled hair, as fluffy, fly-away floss-silk?"
The Rosary 1909
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"Well," said Dr. Rob deliberately, "it is mostly tucked away under a modest little cap; but, were it not for that wise restraint, I should say it might be that kind of fluffy, fly-away floss-silk, which puts the finishing touch to a dainty, pretty woman."
The Rosary 1909
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No one could ever imagine Jane with fluffy floss-silk sort of hair!
The Rosary 1909
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Well, as I was saying, Jane grows worn and thin, old Margery's porridge notwithstanding; but Nurse Rosemary Gray is flourishing, and remains a pretty, dainty little thing, with the additional charm of fluffy, fly-away floss-silk, for hair, -- Dr. Rob's own unaided contribution to the fascinating picture.
The Rosary 1909
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He was a nice-looking youngster, with a slight lisp, and a manner as soft as floss-silk, and he was always smartly dressed in pretty Malay garments.
In Court and Kampong Being Tales and Sketches of Native Life in the Malay Peninsula Hugh Charles Clifford 1903
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She had put on a striped silk dress, faint rose and green, made very full in the skirt; her flat lace collar was fastened by a little old pin -- an oval of pearls holding a strand of hair like floss-silk.
The Awakening of Helena Richie Margaret Wade Campbell Deland 1901
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