sericulture

noun

seri·​cul·​ture ˈser-ə-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce sericulture (audio)
: the production of raw silk by raising silkworms
sericultural adjective
sericulturist noun

Examples of sericulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Upon penalty of death or exile, sericulture (the practice of cultivating silkworms to produce silk) was kept a state secret within China until insects were smuggled out and a shift of powers ensued. Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024 Guests get to see the art of sericulture (silk production) up close and the craft of weaving some of the finest silk textiles on earth. Kamalpreet Singh, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2024 Once their cocoon is complete, the sericulture process traditionally includes killing the silkworm by boiling or steaming it alive. Ryan Egglestone, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2021 The process of harvesting these cocoons for silk is called sericulture, and has existed for thousands of years. Ryan Egglestone, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2021 Although ahimsa silk production includes many of the traditional sericulture practices, harvesting doesn’t involve killing the worms. Ryan Egglestone, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Latin sericum silk + English culture

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sericulture was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near sericulture

Cite this Entry

“Sericulture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sericulture. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sericulture

noun
seri·​cul·​ture ˈser-ə-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce sericulture (audio)
: the production of raw silk by raising silkworms

More from Merriam-Webster on sericulture

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