gossamer

[ gos-uh-mer ]

/ ˈgɒs ə mər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR gossamer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, especially in autumn.

a thread or a web of this substance.

an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used especially for veils.

any thin, light fabric.

something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.

a thin, waterproof outer garment, especially for women.

adjective

Also gos·sa·mer·y

[gos-uh-muh-ree] /ˈgɒs ə mə ri/, gos·sa·mered. of or like gossamer; thin and light.

Words nearby gossamer

gosplan, gospodin, gosport, goss, gossaert, gossamer, gossan, gosse, gossip, gossipmonger, gossipy

Origin of gossamer

1275–1325; Middle English gosesomer (see goose, summer¹); possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish (compare German Gänsemonat November), then transferred to the cobwebs frequent at that time of year

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gossamer

Why, woodcuts, penny and all, are as much lost to you as if you had invested your money in gossamer.
Unto This Last and Other Essays on Political Economy|John Ruskin
Toward sunset a delicate network of gossamer threads covered the open pastures like a silver mesh in which the earth lay captive.
In the Open|Stanton Davis Kirkham
They are gossamer threads which we break as we go, break without feeling them if only we go boldly.
Gossamer|George A. Birmingham
He had never seen such dresses as they wore, which seemed to be composed of tunics and gossamer veils of blue and red.
The Mermaid|Lily Dougall

She was gowned in an evening dress of gossamer material, ashes of rose in color.
Hanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly|David Bryant Fulton

British Dictionary definitions for gossamer

gossamer

/ (ˈɡɒsəmə) /

noun

a gauze or silk fabric of the very finest texture

a filmy cobweb often seen on foliage or floating in the air

anything resembling gossamer in fineness or filminess

(modifier) made of or resembling gossamergossamer wings

Derived forms of gossamer

gossamery, adjective

Word Origin for gossamer

C14 (in the sense: a filmy cobweb): probably from gos goose 1 + somer summer 1; the phrase refers to St Martin's summer, a period in November when goose was traditionally eaten; from the prevalence of the cobweb in the autumn; compare German Gänsemonat, literally: goosemonth, used for November

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gossamer

noun

adjective

Content related to gossamer

Words related to gossamer

Words nearby gossamer

Origin of gossamer

Examples from the Web for gossamer

British Dictionary definitions for gossamer

noun

Derived forms of gossamer

Word Origin for gossamer