Silk is a smooth, shiny fabric made from the fine threads produced by silkworms. It is valued for being soft, strong, and luxurious.
“Silk” comes from Old English “seolc,” from a Germanic form borrowed from Latin “sericum,” meaning silk, itself from Greek “Sērikos,” ‘Chinese,’ referring to the Silk-producing Seres people. The word’s journey reflects the ancient Silk Road trade from East Asia to Europe. The fabric’s name carries its geographic origin inside it.
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