Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Silk \Silk\, n. [OE. silk, selk, AS. seolc, seoloc; akin to
   Icel. silki, SW. & Dan. silke; prob. through Slavic from an
   Oriental source; cf. Lith. szilkai, Russ. shelk', and also L.
   sericum Seric stuff, silk. Cf. {Sericeous}. {Serge} a woolen
   stuff.]
   1. The fine, soft thread produced by various species of
      caterpillars in forming the cocoons within which the worm
      is inclosed during the pupa state, especially that
      produced by the larv[ae] of {Bombyx mori}.

   2. Hence, thread spun, or cloth woven, from the above-named
      material.

   3. That which resembles silk, as the filiform styles of the
      female flower of maize.

   {Raw silk}, silk as it is wound off from the cocoons, and
      before it is manufactured.

   {Silk cotton}, a cottony substance enveloping the seeds of
      the silk-cotton tree.

   {Silk-cotton tree} (Bot.), a name for several tropical trees
      of the genera {Bombax} and {Eriodendron}, and belonging to
      the order {Bombace[ae]}. The trees grow to an immense
      size, and have their seeds enveloped in a cottony
      substance, which is used for stuffing cushions, but can
      not be spun.

   {Silk flower}. (Bot.)
      (a) The silk tree.
      (b) A similar tree ({Calliandra trinervia}) of Peru.

   {Silk fowl} (Zo["o]l.), a breed of domestic fowls having
      silky plumage.

   {Silk gland} (Zo["o]l.), a gland which secretes the material
      of silk, as in spider or a silkworm; a sericterium.

   {Silk gown}, the distinctive robe of a barrister who has been
      appointed king's or queen's counsel; hence, the counsel
      himself. Such a one has precedence over mere barristers,
      who wear stuff gowns. [Eng.]

   {Silk grass} (Bot.), a kind of grass ({Stipa comata}) of the
      Western United States, which has very long silky awns. The
      name is also sometimes given to various species of the
      genera {Aqave} and {Yucca}.

   {Silk moth} (Zo["o]l.), the adult moth of any silkworm. See
      {Silkworm}.

   {Silk shag}, a coarse, rough-woven silk, like plush, but with
      a stiffer nap.

   {Silk spider} (Zo["o]l.), a large spider ({Nephila
      plumipes}), native of the Southern United States,
      remarkable for the large quantity of strong silk it
      produces and for the great disparity in the sizes of the
      sexes.

   {Silk thrower}, {Silk throwster}, one who twists or spins
      silk, and prepares it for weaving. --Brande & C.

   {Silk tree} (Bot.), an Asiatic leguminous tree ({Albizzia
      Julibrissin}) with finely bipinnate leaves, and large flat
      pods; -- so called because of the abundant long silky
      stamens of its blossoms. Also called {silk flower}.

   {Silk vessel}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Silk gland}, above.

   {Virginia silk} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Periploca
      Gr[ae]ca}) of the Milkweed family, having a silky tuft on
      the seeds. It is native in Southern Europe.

Stuff \Stuff\, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain
   origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t.
   Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.]
   1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of
      manufacture.

            For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the
            work to make it, and too much.        --Ex. xxxvi.
                                                  7.

            Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.

            The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And
            yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. --Sir J.
                                                  Davies.

   2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up;
      elemental part; essence.

            Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do
            no contrived murder.                  --Shak.

   3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind;
      specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or
      worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.

            What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?     --Shak.

            It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though,
            superior kinds were of silk exclusively. --F. G.
                                                  Lee.

   4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.

            He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
                                                  --Hayward.

   5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak.

   6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or
      irrational language; nonsense; trash.

            Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or
            Shadwell write.                       --Dryden.

   7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with
      which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared
      for lubrication.                            --Ham. Nav.
                                                  Encyc.

   8. Paper stock ground ready for use.

   Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight.

   {Clear stuff}. See under {Clear}.

   {Small stuff} (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham.
      Nav. Encyc.

   {Stuff gown}, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister;
      hence, a junior barrister himself. See {Silk gown}, under
      {Silk}.