gossamer
Say it: GOSS-uh-muh /ˈɡɒsəmə/ · noun
What “gossamer” means
Very fine, delicate strands of spider silk.
More precisely: Fine, filmy cobweb; anything extremely light, thin and delicate.
When to use it
In nature writing, for fine cobwebs, or figuratively for something extremely thin and delicate.
It can also mean
It can also describe fabric or other things that are extremely light and delicate.
Similar words
cobweb, gauze, silk
Where it comes from
Middle English, apparently 'goose summer', the late-autumn season when cobwebs are seen.
Quick check
Fine spider threads stretch between two rose stems, almost invisible in the sunlight. What are those delicate threads?
gauze or gossamer?
Show the answer
gossamer
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