Gossamer

Origin

From Middle English gossomer, from gos ("goose") + somer ("summer").

Full definition of gossamer

Noun

1. A fine film or strand as of cobwebs, floating in the air or caught on bushes etc.
2. A soft, sheer fabric.
3. Anything delicate, light and flimsy.

Derived terms

• gossamery (adjective)

Adjective

1. Tenuous, light, filmy or delicate.
• Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1907)
2. The heaven was spangled with tremulous stars, and at the horizon the clouds hung down in gossamer folds—God's robe trailing in the sea!
• 1922, Michael Arlen, “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days Chapter Ep./1/2, He walked. To the corner of Hamilton Place and Picadilly, and there stayed for a while, for it is a romantic station by night. The vague and careless rain looked like threads of gossamer silver passing across the light of the arc-lamps.

Synonyms

• gossamery