Literary notes about Filament (AI summary)
The term "filament" is employed across a wide range of literary and technical contexts to denote a fine, threadlike structure, whether literal or metaphorical. In scientific and technical writings it often refers to slender components such as those found in carbon lamps, circuits, or even biological structures—for instance, a sealed carbon filament in a light bulb or the elongated structure in animal anatomy ([1], [2], [3], [4]). In botanical and natural descriptions, it identifies delicate, crucial strands that support reproductive organs or serve as structural elements in plant morphology ([5], [6], [7]). Meanwhile, in poetic and figurative contexts the word evokes images of fragility, continuity, and emotional nuance—ranging from the tender brightness of early morning beams to the delicate thread of despair or hope in the human heart ([8], [9], [10], [11]).
- He patiently worked another day, and was rewarded by securing a good carbon filament, sealed in a glass globe.
— from The Story of Great Inventions by Elmer Ellsworth Burns - The filament has no time to cool off, provided you turn fast enough, but try turning a little slower and you will notice the flickering of the lamp."
— from The Library of Work and Play: Electricity and Its Everyday Uses by John F. (John Francis) Woodhull - The inner surface of the bulb was darkened slightly, and the filament of carbon was severed.
— from Philo Gubb, Correspondence-School Detective by Ellis Parker Butler - The tube of the muzzle is long and flat, and from the caudal fin springs a terminal filament nearly as long as the body.
— from The Ocean World: Being a Description of the Sea and Its Living Inhabitants. by Louis Figuier - Anthers 2 on each filament, concealed in the hollows of the petals.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - The pollen-bearing organ of the flower, usually consisting of filament and anther.
— from Seasoning of Wood by J. B. (Joseph Bernard) Wagner - Stamens 9; 6 external to the rest and bearing the anthers, 4 on each filament, 2 below the others; the 3 inner stamens bear 2 anthers each.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - Each like the morning's early beams Reflected in the crystal gleams; And bees on their sweet toil intent Weigh down each tender filament.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - Is this, I pray, the conduct of noble men? Is this the fruit of our meeting, that my heart, tender as a lotus filament, is now crushed?
— from The Kādambarī of Bāṇa by Bāṇa - Here lingered the fragment of a happier past, or stretched out the first tremulous organic filament of a more fortunate future.
— from The Biglow Papers by James Russell Lowell - Through her mind swept a flashing filament of despair, hope, craven fear, and sturdy resolution.
— from The Best Short Stories of 1917, and the Yearbook of the American Short Story
