gossamer etymology

Etymology:

"Gossamer" originated in the Middle English word "gossomer," which is derived from the Old English phrase "gosses sumer," meaning "summer of geese."

Meaning and Origin:

  • Meaning: Gossamer refers to a fine, delicate, and transparent fabric or material, often made from silk or cotton.
  • Origin: The association with geese may derive from the belief that these webs were produced by geese flying at night. However, gossamer is actually created by spiders, particularly the garden orb spider.

Figurative Usage:

Beyond its literal meaning, "gossamer" is also used figuratively to describe something that is:

  • Delicate and fragile
  • Ethereal and fleeting
  • Intangible or elusive
  • Dreamlike or otherworldly

Examples:

  • "She wore a gossamer gown that shimmered in the moonlight."
  • "Their love was as gossamer as a spider's web, delicate and easily broken."
  • "The gossamer clouds danced across the sky like ethereal spirits."
  • "His words were a gossamer tapestry, weaving an intricate and beautiful tale."

gossamer relate terms

  • goose

    Etymology Old English gōs plural gēs from Proto Germanic gōs plural gēsiз fro

  • tooth

    Etymology The word tooth has an Indo European origin It is derived from the Proto Indo

  • summer

    Etymology The word summer comes from the Old English word sumor which is derived fr

  • stock

    Etymology The word stock has several origins Old English stocc trunk of a tree

  • cobweb

    Etymology cob spider web Meaning A delicate dusty net spun by spiders typica

  • sheer

    Etymology The word sheer has its origins in the Old English word scīr meaning pure

  • transparent

    Etymology Transparent comes from the Latin word transpārēns which is a present ac

  • strand

    Etymology The English word strand has Germanic origins and is related to the Proto Germ

  • rhinoceros

    Etymology The word rhinoceros comes from the Greek words rhinos nose and keras

  • psychology

    Etymology Psycho from Greek psyche meaning mind soul or breath logy from Gree

  • herald

    Etymology The word herald comes from the Old French word heraut which in turn comes

  • alliteration

    Etymology The word alliteration is derived from the Latin word ad meaning to and

  • opinion

    Etymology The word opinion originates from the Latin word opinio which means belief

  • felon

    Etymology The word felon originates from the Old French word felon which ultimately