viscose
Meaning
a type of artificial silk made from cellulose
a thick, orange-brown solution of cellulose xanthate, used in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane
Structure
Usage
the dress was made from a soft, flowing viscose fabric.
the factory produces viscose by treating cellulose with chemicals.
viscose is popular in clothing because it drapes well and is breathable.
Etymology
The word "viscose" is a modern scientific term derived from the Latin root viscum, which referred to birdlime, a sticky substance made from mistletoe berries used to trap birds. The suffix "-ose," of Latin origin, denotes a quality of being full of or having the nature of something. Therefore, the term literally means "full of stickiness," which directly describes the key physical property of the viscous cellulose solution from which the fiber is spun. This logical naming reflects the material's origin as a thick, adhesive liquid before it is processed into a smooth, silky thread.
Analysis
visc (from latin viscum, meaning "birdlime, a sticky substance"); ose (a suffix from latin -osus, meaning "full of, abounding in, prone to").