nylon — English Dictionary

Noun

1. 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.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • in-plural
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I tore a hole in my nylons while walking home through the woods.

   More examples (2)

   1970-1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure He put on make-up, nylons, panties, a dress.

   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.

3. A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a thermoplastic polyamide; a family of strong resilient synthetic fibers

   Broader terms

   man-made fibersynthetic fiberpolyamidepolymeric amide

2. a group of synthetic fabrics, known generically as aliphatic polyamides

   Broader terms

   fabricclothmaterialtextile