noun
gossamer
GO-suh-muh
noun
1
A fine, filmy strand of cobweb often seen drifting in the air or caught on bushes.
"Strands of gossamer glistened with dew across the lawn."
adj
1
Extremely delicate, light, and sheer.
"The bride's veil was made of gossamer silk."
How to Use Gossamer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFine cobweb strands, or as an adjective, anything as light and sheer as one.
Common pairings
gossamer wings
gossamer threads
gossamer-thin
Word Forms
more gossamer comparative, gossamers plural, most gossamer superlative
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Strands of _____ glistened with dew across the lawn.
Etymology
From Middle English gossomer, likely from "goose" + "summer" — originally describing a spell of mild autumn weather when geese were traditionally eaten, later transferred to the delicate cobwebs that appear at that time of year.