Gos"sa*mer (?), n. [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 was the remnant of the Virgin Mary's winding sheet, which dropped from her when she was taken up to heaven. For the use of summer in the sense of film or threads, cf. G. Mädchensommer, Altweibersommer, fliegender Sommer, all meaning, gossamer.]

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.

• A fine film or strand as of cobwebs, floating in the air or caught on bushes etc.
  
• A soft, sheer fabric
  
• Anything delicate, light and flimsy
  
• Tenuous, light, filmy or delicate
       quotations:
       *"The heaven was spangled with tremulous stars, and at the horizon the clouds hung down in gossamer folds---God's robe trailing in the sea!" — Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1907)