ˈsilk-work
[f. silk n. + work n.]
1. Silk embroidery.
| a 1375 Joseph Arim. 427 Fourti knihtes douȝtres he wolde haue..forte souwe selk-werk. 1661 Tatham London's Tryumphs 5 The Pentioners bearing the severall sort of Silk-works. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 31 Oct. 1645, The Nunns of St. Catherine's sent me flowers of silk-work. |
2. The manufacture or production of silk.
| 1455 [see silk-woman]. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Silk, To make a further Enquiry into this New Silk-work. |
3. pl. An establishment where silk is wrought.
| 1622 Bonoeil Art of Making Silke 76 To certifie you from the English Factory in Persia, of the art and order that they use..in the Silke-workes there. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Silk, In the French Silk-works, the greatest Part of this Silk passes for little better than a Kind of very fine Fleuret. |