gossamer

[ gos-uh-mer ]
See synonyms for: gossamergossamers on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. a thread or strand of a filmy cobweb seen outdoors.

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

  2. any thin, light fabric.

  3. something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate: The viper appeared to be midway through sloughing off its skin, half covered as it was with a thin gossamer of its former outer self.

  4. a thin, waterproof outer garment, especially for women, popular in the late 19th century.

adjective
  1. Also gos·sa·mer·y [gos-uh-muh-ree], /ˈgɒs ə mə ri/, gos·sa·mered. of or like gossamer; extremely light, flimsy, or delicate: Did you notice this dragonfly's gossamer wings? Perhaps our hopes are gossamer dreams, strung together with wishful thinking.

Origin of gossamer

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gos(s)esomer, gossummer “filmy substance made of cobwebs; fine filament; something trivial”; possibly first used as a 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

Words Nearby gossamer

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How to use gossamer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gossamer

gossamer

/ (ˈɡɒsəmə) /


noun
  1. a gauze or silk fabric of the very finest texture

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

  1. anything resembling gossamer in fineness or filminess

  2. (modifier) made of or resembling gossamer: gossamer wings

Origin of gossamer

1
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

Derived forms of gossamer

  • gossamery, adjective

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