Word Meanings - GOSSAMER - Book Publishers vocabulary database

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

Additional info about word: GOSSAMER

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, 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 , any small or young spider which spins webs by which to sail in the air. See Ballooning spider.

Related words: (words related to GOSSAMER)

• GOOSEFOOT
  A genus of herbs mostly annual weeds; pigweed.
• GOOSERY
  1. A place for keeping geese. 2. The characteristics or actions of a goose; silliness. The finical goosery of your neat sermon actor. Milton.
• ALLUSION
  1. A figurative or symbolical reference. 2. A reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned; a covert indication; indirect reference; a hint.
• VIRGINIA
  One of the States of the United States of America. -- a.
• VIRGINAL
  Of or pertaining to a virgin; becoming a virgin; maidenly. "Chastity and honor virginal." Spenser. Virginal generation , parthenogenesis. -- Virginal membrane , the hymen.
• SUMMERSTIR
  To summer-fallow.
• SUMMERHOUSE
  A rustic house or apartment in a garden or park, to be used as a pleasure resort in summer. Shak.
• GOOSEWINGED
  Having a "goosewing." Said of a fore-and-aft rigged vessel with foresail set on one side and mainsail on the other; wing and wing.
• PROPERLY
  1. In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly; as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted. Milton. 2. Individually; after one's own manner. Now, harkeneth, how I bare me properly. Chaucer.
• GOSSAMERY
  Like gossamer; flimsy. The greatest master of gossamery affectation. De Quincey.
• GOOSEFISH
  See ANGLER
• GOOSEWING
  One of the clews or lower corners of a course or a topsail when the middle part or the rest of the sail is furled.
• VIRGINHOOD
  Virginity; maidenhood.
• REMNANT
  Remaining; yet left. "Because of the remnant dregs of his disease." Fuller. And quiet dedicate her remnant life To the just duties of an humble wife. Prior.
• VIRGIN
  See VIRGO (more info) 1. A woman who has had no carnal knowledge of man; a maid. 2. A person of the male sex who has not known sexual indulgence. Wyclif. These are they which were not defiled with women; for
• GOOSE EGG
  In games, a zero; a score or record of naught; -- so named in allusion to the egglike outline of the zero sign 0. Called also duck egg.
• GOOSEBERRY
  Any thorny shrub of the genus Ribes; also, the edible berries of such shrub. There are several species, of which Ribes Grossularia is the one commonly cultivated. 2. A silly person; a goose cap. Goldsmith. Barbadoes gooseberry, a climbing prickly
• GOOSE-RUMPED
  Having the tail set low and buttocks that fall away sharply from the croup; -- said of certain horses.
• PERHAPS
  By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be. And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts viii. 22.
• LEGEND
  fr. L. legendus to be read, fr. legere to read, gather; akin to Gr. 1. That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses. 2. A story
• MIDSUMMER
  The middle of summer. Shak. Midsummer daisy , the oxeye daisy.
• WAY-GOOSE
  See 2
• IMPROPERLY
  In an improper manner; not properly; unsuitably; unbecomingly.
• INDEVIRGINATE
  Not devirginate. Chapman.
• SKEELDUCK; SKEELGOOSE
  The common European sheldrake.
• MONGOOSE; MONGOOS
  A species of ichneumon , native of India. Applied also to other allied species, as the African banded mongoose
• CARGOOSE
  A species of grebe ; the crested grebe.
• REAPPEARANCE
  A second or new appearance; the act or state of appearing again.
• DISAPPEARANCE
  The act of disappearing; cessation of appearance; removal from sight; vanishing. Addison.
• TRANSSUMMER
  See 2