gossamer

[gos-uh-mer]

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.

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

4. any thin, light fabric.

5. 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.

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

adjective

1. Also gossamery gossamered. of or like gossamer; extremely light, flimsy, or delicate: Perhaps our hopes are gossamer dreams, strung together with wishful thinking.

   Did you notice this dragonfly's gossamer wings?

   Perhaps our hopes are gossamer dreams, strung together with wishful thinking.

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

3. anything resembling gossamer in fineness or filminess

4. (modifier) made of or resembling gossamer

   gossamer wings

Other Word Forms

• gossamery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gossamer¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gossamer¹

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

Example Sentences

The bite of raw carrot or a gossamer slice of fennel offers a freshness that roasted beets or steamed sweet potatoes simply can't match.

From Salon

Back in October, after speaking with food content creator and cookbook author Owen Han, I described frico as such: “lacy, gossamer, uber-crispy cooked flats of parmesan cheese.”

From Salon

Oppenheimer, who speaks almost professorially in a gentle, gossamer voice, took his own idea seriously, feeling the theme he wanted to explore dictated a sung approach.

From Los Angeles Times

She said its "viscerally, uncomfortably familiar take on entitled masculinity" is "delivered with a self-satisfied smile, as a gossamer cover to the violent rage below".

From BBC

To see the familiar faces, to hear the old story, to think about the old song — such remembrances tether us, however frayed and fragile the gossamer of grief, to a world transformed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fibrous 
• silky 
• translucent