Filament

A thin long piece of a solid substance. In general it is so thin as to act almost like a thread, to be capable of standing considerable flexure. The distinction between filament and rod has been of much importance in some patent cases concerning incandescent lamps. As used by electricians the term generally applies to the carbon filament of incandescent lamps. This as now made has not nece arily any fibres, but is entitled to the name of filament, partly by convention, partly by its relative thinne and want of stiffne . (See Incandescent Lamps--Magnetic Filament.)