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gossamery

 - 2 dictionary results

gos⋅sa⋅mer

  [gos-uh-mer]
Use gossamery in a Sentence
–noun
1. a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, esp. in autumn.
2. a thread or a web of this substance.
3. an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used esp. for veils.
4. any thin, light fabric.
5. something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
6. a thin, waterproof outer garment, esp. for women.
–adjective
7. Also, gos⋅sa⋅mer⋅y  [gos-uh-muh-ree] , gos⋅sa⋅mered. of or like gossamer; thin and light.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME gosesomer (see goose, summer 1 ); possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish (cf. G Gänsemonat November), then transferred to the cobwebs frequent at that time of year
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gossamery
gos·sa·mer   (gŏs'ə-mər)   
n.  

  1. A soft sheer gauzy fabric.

  2. Something delicate, light, or flimsy.

  3. A fine film of cobwebs often seen floating in the air or caught on bushes or grass.

adj.  Sheer, light, delicate, or tenuous. See Synonyms at airy.

[Middle English gossomer : gos, goose; see goose + somer, summer (probably from the abundance of gossamer during early autumn when geese are in season); see summer1.]
gos'sa·mer·y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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