rayon
n.n. a type of fabric that looks and feels like silk or cotton but is actually made from wood or plastic. It is often used to make clothes that are soft and shiny.
n. a synthetic fiber made from cellulose, typically derived from wood pulp or cotton linters, which is processed into a viscous solution and extruded into filaments. It is often used as a substitute for silk or wool.
She bought a beautiful rayon dress for the party.
The manufacturer switched to rayon because it is more affordable than silk while still maintaining a similar soft texture.
While rayon is prized for its lustrous finish and breathability, it is susceptible to shrinking if not washed in cold water and dried on a low heat setting.
Name chosen by the National Retail Dry Goods Association of America, probably from French rayon (“a beam of light, ray”) and so called because it is shiny; however, the Oxford English Dictionary states that it is apparently a blend of ray + cotton.
From Middle French rayon [1539], from Old French rai (whence English ray), from Latin rādius (whence English radius).
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.