Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bilix

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BI'LIX (δίμιτος). Literally, made with two threads, or by a double set of leashes (licia), in reference to cloth woven like our "twill" or "dimity" (Virg. Aen. xii. 375.), the peculiarity of which depends upon the manner in which the threads of the warp and woof are interlaced. In a piece of common "calico", the threads cross each other at right angles, every thread of the woof (subtemen) passing alternately over and under one of the threads of the warp (stamen), for which a single set of leashes is sufficient; but in twilled fabrics a thread of the woof is passed over one, and then under two or more threads of the warp, which gives a ribbed appearance in the pattern. Thus, when the twill is formed by passing over one thread and under two, it requires two sets of leashes, and was distinguished by the epithet bilix; when over one, and under three, trilix; and so on.