Etymology: [LL. filatura, fr. filare to spin: cf. F. filature. See Filatory.] thread-a-tūr, n. the winding of the silk or the place where it is made. – n. Fil`atory, a machine for forming or spinning wires. [Fr.—L. filum, un fil.] a drawing in threads; Hence the winding of the silk of the French cocoons, from the late Latin filatus, participates past filare.