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Glite Dictionary
serictery

serictery

9.9
A part inside some insects and spiders that makes silk
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : sericterio
  • The silkworm secretes threads of silk from its serictery during cocoon formation.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the structure of the spider’s serictery to better understand silk production.

  • Damage to the serictery can inhibit an insect’s ability to spin silk.

  • The serictery is fascinating.

  • Look at the serictery!

  • The silkworm secretes threads of silk from its serictery during cocoon formation.

  • Damage to the serictery can inhibit an insect’s ability to spin silk.

  • Scientists studied the structure of the spider’s serictery to better understand silk production.

Synonyms

spinneret
vsserictery
  • Specialized
1 9.2

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

refers to the internal silk-producing gland, not the external spinning organ
silk gland
vsserictery
  • Specialized
6.1

A part inside some insects and spiders that makes thin strong threads for cocoons or webs

means the same thing but uses a different word
sericterium
vsserictery
  • Specialized
9.9

A gland in some insects and spiders that makes silk

has identical sense but differs only in word form

Surface Forms

serictery singular
sericteries plural

Morphology

serictery = seric + tery

The element 'seric' is an uncommon combining form meaning 'silk' and is not a recognizable standalone English base for most learners, so the meaning cannot be transparently derived.

Etymology

Serictery comes from an old word for silk, sericum, which meant 'silk' and was linked to the people who first made silk. Think of serictery as sericum + -tery, like bakery is a place that makes bread, so a serictery is the part that makes 'silk' in insects or spiders.