Viscose

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈvɪskəʊs/

Definitions

1. A type of semi-synthetic fiber produced by chemically treating cellulose from wood pulp to create a smooth, shiny fabric commonly used in clothing and textiles
2. A type of fiber made from regenerated cellulose, known for its softness and draping qualities, often used in clothing and upholstery materials
3. A fabric derived from cellulose that undergoes chemical processing to produce a soft, lustrous textile ideal for garments and home decor

Etymology: Viscose began as a liquid, not a fabric. The name comes from Latin "viscosus", "sticky", which in turn derives from "viscum", the birdlime that Romans smeared on branches to catch songbirds. The same Latin root gave English "viscous", and the two words are doublets: one arrived through the scholarly language, the other was reshaped into a technical name for a thick, sticky solution of cellulose. That sticky solution is the key to the fabric. Viscose is made by dissolving plant cellulose, usually wood pulp, in chemicals to form a viscous mass, then forcing it through fine spinnerets into a bath that regenerates the cellulose as threads. The name describes the intermediate stage of the process, so the material is named after the goo it passes through rather than after the fibre it becomes.

Synonyms: rayon, synthetic fiber