Nylon Meaning
/ˈnaɪlɒn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOriginally, 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.
nounA stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.
Sentence Examples
Nylon stockings often run.
These nylon socks wash well.
There is nothing like the dull thud of nylon on nylon.
CEFR Practice Quiz
For her backpack, she chose a durable fabric made of ____ because it dries quickly and resists tearing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The first successfully developed synthetic fiber was ____, which revolutionized the textile industry.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"What you call love was invented by guys like me, to sell nylons. You're born alone and you die alone and this world just drops a bunch of rules on top of you to make you forget those facts."
— 2007, Matthew Weiner, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”, in Mad Men, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Don Draper (Jon Hamm):
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CEFR Practice Quiz
For her backpack, she chose a durable fabric made of ____ because it dries quickly and resists tearing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The first successfully developed synthetic fiber was ____, which revolutionized the textile industry.