Word of the Day

Saturday, July 27, 2002

diaphanous

\dy-AF-uh-nuhs\ , adjective;

Of such fine texture as to allow light to pass through; translucent or transparent.

Vague; insubstantial.

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Quotes:

The curtains are thin, a diaphanous membrane that can't quite contain the light outside.

-- Eric Liu, The Accidental Asian

She needed more than diaphanous hope, more than I could give her.

-- Tej Rae, "One Hand Extended", Washington Post, August 12, 2001

Origin:

Diaphanous ultimately derives from Greek diaphanes, "showing through," from diaphainein, "to show through, to be transparent," from dia-, "through" + phainein, "to show, to appear." It is related to phantom, something apparently sensed but having no physical reality.