Gossamer
Noun
Definition: A light, delicate, and often ethereal fabric or material.
Synonyms: Cobweb, Filament, Thread
Antonyms: Thick, Heavy, Substantial
- The bride's veil was made of gossamer, adding a touch of elegance to her look.
- The morning dew shimmered on the gossamer strands of the spider's web.
- Think of the delicate nature of a gossamer fabric, as delicate as a spider's web.
Etymology:
The word "gossamer" comes from Middle English gossomer, which is believed to be a combination of gos, meaning "goose," and somer, meaning "summer." It originally referred to the filmy down produced by young geese during molting, which was similar in appearance and texture to the delicate fabric known as gossamer today.
Historical Usage:The term has been used since the 14th century to describe light and delicate materials. Over time, it has also come to represent anything delicate, ethereal, or insubstantial.
Related Idioms:
"Gossamer thread"
Explanation:Refers to something extremely thin or delicate, similar to the fine threads of a spider's web.
Misconceptions:
Considering gossamer only as a fabric.
Explanation:While gossamer primarily refers to a delicate fabric, it can also be used metaphorically to describe anything that is light, fragile, or insubstantial.