See Also: gossamer(medicine)
gossamer(dictionary)
gossamer(dictionary)

gossamer (iou)



gossamer noun, adjective, & verb. ME.

A. noun.
A fine filmy substance, consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders, which is seen esp. in autumn, floating in the air or spread over a grassy surface. Also, a thread or web of this. ME.
H. Williamson Gossamers glinted across the stubbles.
b. transf. & fig. Something light and flimsy. LME.
a. A light make of silk hat; joc. a hat generally. arch. M19.
b. A very light kind of waterproof. US. L19.
A rich silk gauze used for veils and dresses. L19.
b. adjective.
Made of gossamer. E19.
fig. Light and flimsy as gossamer; frivolous, volatile. E19.
A. Lewis The rain..a gossamer stream Too light to stir the acorns.
C. verb trans. Coat (as) with gossamer. Chiefly as gossamered ppl adjective. M19.
gossamery adjective made of or like gossamer; flimsy, unsubstantial: L18.