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Webster 1913 Edition
Gossamer
Gos′sa-mer
,Noun.
[OE.
gossomer
, gossummer
, gosesomer
, perh. for goose summer
, from its downy appearance, or perh. for God’s summer
, cf. G. mariengarr
gossamer, properly Mary's yarn, in allusion to the Virgin Mary. Perhaps the E. word alluded to a legend that the gossamer was the remnant of the Virgin Mary's winding sheet, which dropped from her when she was taken up to heaven. For the use of summer
in the sense of film or threads, cf. G. Mädchensommer
, Altweibersommer
, fliegender Sommer
, all meaning, gossamer.] 1.
A fine, filmy substance, like cobwebs, floating in the air, in calm, clear weather, especially in autumn. It is seen in stubble fields and on furze or low bushes, and is formed by small spiders.
2.
Any very thin gauzelike fabric; also, a thin waterproof stuff.
3.
An outer garment, made of waterproof gossamer.
Gossamer spider
(Zool.)
, any small or young spider which spins webs by which to sail in the air. See
Ballooning spider
.Webster 1828 Edition
Gossamer
GOS'SAMER
,Noun.
Definition 2024
gossamer
gossamer
English
Noun
gossamer (countable and uncountable, plural gossamers)
- A fine film or strand as of cobwebs, floating in the air or caught on bushes, etc.
- A soft, sheer fabric.
- Anything delicate, light and flimsy.
Derived terms
- gossamery (adjective)
Translations
cobwebs floating in the air
|
a soft, sheer fabric
anything delicate, light, flimsy
|
Adjective
gossamer (comparative more gossamer, superlative most gossamer)
- Tenuous, light, filmy or delicate.
- Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1907)
- 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, “Ep./1/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:
- 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.