spun glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “spun glass” mean?
A fine, silky material made by spinning molten glass into thin filaments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fine, silky material made by spinning molten glass into thin filaments.
A textile-like material used for insulation, filtration, or reinforcement, known for its fibrous, wool-like appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is consistent in both varieties of English, with no significant spelling or lexical differences.
Connotations
Technical/industrial in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both BrE and AmE, confined to manufacturing, construction, and materials science contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “spun glass” in a Sentence
N of spun glassspun glass N (e.g., spun glass insulation)made from/out of spun glassVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spun glass” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The loft was lined with spun-glass insulation.
American English
- They installed a spun-glass filter in the ventilation system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing and construction supply industries.
Academic
Found in materials science, engineering, and chemistry texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The primary register; used in specifications for insulation, composites, and filtration systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spun glass”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spun glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spun glass”
- Using 'spun glass' to refer to blown glass or artistic glassware.
- Confusing it with 'fibreglass', which is a more common composite material using glass fibres.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be an irritant. The fine fibres can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, requiring protective equipment during installation.
Spun glass refers specifically to the fibrous wool-like material. Fibreglass is a broader term often referring to a composite material where glass fibres are embedded in a plastic resin.
Yes, the fine filaments can be woven or matted to create textiles used for insulation, filtration, or as a reinforcement fabric.
It refers to the manufacturing process where molten glass is literally spun or blown by centrifugal force to create long, thin fibres.
A fine, silky material made by spinning molten glass into thin filaments.
Spun glass is usually technical in register.
Spun glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌspʌn ˈɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌspʌn ˈɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a spider spinning a web, but instead of silk, it's spinning molten glass into fine, fluffy threads.
Conceptual Metaphor
GLASS AS TEXTILE: Treating a hard, brittle substance as a soft, pliable, woven material.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary industrial use of spun glass?