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Glite Dictionary
silk gland

silk gland

6.1
A part inside some insects and spiders that makes thin strong threads for cocoons or webs
  • noun
  • /sɪlk ɡlænd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : glándula de seda
  • Some insects rely on silk glands to construct protective cases for their larvae.

Examples

  • The spider uses its silk glands to spin intricate webs for catching prey.

  • There is no reason why a mutation could not generate silk glands on the 'wrists' since that is already commonly observed in many arthropod species.

    Blog text (4)

  • Silkworms have specialized silk glands that produce fine threads for creating their cocoons.

Synonyms

spinneret
vssilk gland
  • Specialized
1 9.2

A small body part on spiders and some insects that makes silk threads

focuses on the gland that makes silk rather than the outlet
serictery
vssilk gland
  • Specialized
9.9

A part inside some insects and spiders that makes silk

is the plain descriptive phrase for that same gland
sericterium
vssilk gland
  • Specialized
9.9

A gland in some insects and spiders that makes silk

is the general term describing the same gland

Surface Forms

silk gland singular
silk glands plural

Morphology

silk + gland

The meaning 'a gland that produces silk' is directly derivable from combining 'silk' (the fiber/material) with 'gland' (an organ that secretes a substance). This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following common compositional patterns (and similar constructs exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Silk gland combines silk and gland to name a small body part in some insects and spiders that makes thin threads of silk for cocoons or webs. So it simply refers to the organ that 'produces silk'.