(cán) - Silkworm — an archaic or variant form of

Tone 2

cán | 24 strokes | radical:

· cán

Silkworm — an archaic or variant form of 蚕, referring to the silkworm insect, particularly the domesticated species (Bombyx mori) that produces silk.

Silkworm — an archaic or variant form of

Usage highlights

SilkwormRaise silkwormsSilkworm cocoonSilkworm mothSilkworm eggsSilkworm farming

Synonyms

  • silkworm (standard simplified form)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient Chinese cultivated silkworms (蠺) for silk production.
  • Sericulture (养蠺) was a major industry in imperial China.
  • Silkworm cocoons (蠺茧) are the source of silk thread.

Collocations

  • Silkworm()
  • Raise silkworms(养蠺)
  • Silkworm cocoon(蠺茧)
  • Silkworm moth(蠺蛾)
  • Silkworm eggs(蠺子)
  • Silkworm farming(蠺业)

Idioms

  • Silkworm spinning its cocoon(作蠺自缚)
  • Spring silkworm spinning thread(春蠺到死丝方尽)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Silkworms were central to China's ancient silk industry and the Silk Road trade.
  • Sericulture was traditionally women's work and is depicted in many classical poems.
  • The character 蠺 is a complex variant form of the more common 蚕.

FAQ