 | WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
| WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
Gossamer
Pronunciation : Gos"sa*mer
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [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
Definition : 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 (Zo?l.), any small or young spider which spins webs by which to sail in the air. See Ballooning spider.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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