gossamer

Advancedzipf 2.44

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɒsəmər/(GOS-uh-mur)

Part of speech

noun/adjectiveliterary

Chinese

蛛丝；薄纱般的；极其轻薄的

Definition

A fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs; something extremely light, delicate, or insubstantial.

Word family

  • gossamery/ˈɡɒsəməri/(adj)薄如蛛丝的

Collocations

  • gossamer threads
  • gossamer wings
  • gossamer fabric
  • gossamer veil

Examples

  1. 1.Morning dew clung to gossamer threads stretched across the garden. (fine cobwebs)
  2. 2.The dancer's gossamer costume seemed to float independently of her body. (extremely light and delicate)

Synonyms

  • diaphanous/daɪˈæfənəs/— light, translucent, of fabric
  • ethereal/ɪˈθɪəriəl/— extremely delicate, heavenly
  • filmy/ˈfɪlmi/— thin and translucent

Etymology

probably from Middle English "gossomer" (goose summer) — Indian summer, when geese were eaten and cobwebs floated in warm autumn air