nylon

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
2. (countable, in-plural, uncountable) A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.
3. (countable, uncountable) A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit.

Synonyms

fabric

fare

silk

synthetic fiber

polyamide fiber

synthetic fabric

Translations

nylon

Nylon

nailon

náilon

nylon

nylon

niló

nailon

nilón

naylon

nylon

nylon-

νάιλον

Nylonstrumpf

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnaɪlɒn/

Etymology

Coined by the company DuPont in 1938. According to the company, the name was formed from the random generic syllable nyl- + the common fiber suffix -on (as in rayon and Dacron), said to be ultimately from cotton.