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Webster 1913 Edition
Silkworm
Silk′wormˊ
,Noun.
[AS.
seolcwyrm
.] (Zool.)
The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon before changing to a pupa.
☞ The common species (
Bombyx mori
) feeds on the leaves of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but has long been introduced into other countries of Asia and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus silkworm (Philosamia cynthia
) is a much larger species, of considerable importance, which has been introduced into Europe and America from China. The most useful American species is the Polyphemus. See Polyphemus
. Pernyi silkworm
, the larva of the Pernyi moth. See
– Pernyi moth
. Silkworm gut
, a substance prepared from the contents of the silk glands of silkworms and used in making lines for angling. See
– Gut
. Silkworm rot
, a disease of silkworms; muscardine.
Webster 1828 Edition
Silkworm
SILK'WORM
,Noun.
Definition 2024
silkworm
silkworm
English
Noun
silkworm (plural silkworms)
- Any of various caterpillars of moths that produce silk cocoons, especially Bombyx mori, the source of most commercial silk.
Translations
caterpillar
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Related terms
- bombic
- bombycine