ˈsilk-woman Now Hist.
[f. silk n. + woman n.]
A woman engaged in the manufacture, use, or sale of silk.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 77/2 Cylke woman, devacuatrix (P. aurisceca). 1455 Rolls of Parlt. V. 325 The Silkewymmen and Throwestres of the Craftes and occupation of Silke⁓werk. c 1515 Cocke Lorell's B. 10 Sylke women, pursers, and garnysshers. 1567–9 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 59 The same Spirit prepared and opened the Silke-womans heart. 1834–6 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VIII. 709/1 Henry [VI] having silk women, who were..probably only employed in needlework of silk. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 488/2 In the reign of Edward III., an act was passed to prevent artificers from using more than one trade.., the silk-women..being exempted from its operation. |