silk

noun

• 1 [mass noun] a fine, strong, soft lustrous fibre produced by silkworms in making cocoons and collected to make thread and fabric.
• thread or fabric made from the fibre produced by the silkworm: [as modifier]:a silk shirt
• (silks) garments made from silk, especially as worn by a jockey in the colours of a particular horse owner: some were dressed in racing silks
• [count noun] Riding a cover worn over a riding hat made from a silk-like fabric.
• (silks) the silky styles of the female maize flower: peel back husks from corn without detaching from cobs; remove silks

• 2British informal a Queen’s (or King’s) Counsel.

  [so named because of the right accorded to wear a gown made of silk]