Standard Lemma guide

sericeous

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Of or relating to silk; consisting of, or resembling silk; silky.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • sericeous color

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Covered with very soft hairs pressed close to the surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences

Examples

  • a sericeous leaf
  • sericeous ovary
  • sericeous pubescence
  • sericeous stalk
  • sericeous surface of leaves

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Having a silky lustre, usually due to fine, close hairs

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biology, natural-sciences, zoology

Examples

  • sericeous spot of hairs
  • sericeous pile

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

covered with fine soft hairs or down

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • downy milkweed seeds

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: downy, pubescent, puberulent

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin sēricus (“silken”), sēricum (“Seric material; silk”), from Sēricus (“belonging to the Seres”): Sērēs, Ancient Greek Σῆρες (Sêres, “a people of Eastern Asia, the modern Chinese, celebrated for their silken fabrics”). Compare silk, serge.