bombycine

adjective

bom·by·cine

ˈbämbəˌsīn,

-ə̇n

: of or relating to silkworms

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin bombȳcinus "of silk," pseudo-Greek derivative (with -inos -ine entry 1) of bombyc-, bombyx "silkworm, silk," borrowed from Greek *bómbyx

Note: Though the Latin adjective is conventionally traced to Greek bombýkinos (as in Oxford Latin Dictionary), the Greek word is not attested until significantly later (Libanius, 4th century ce).

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bombycine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombycine. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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