diaphanous

adjective di·aph·a·nous \dī-ˈa-fə-nəs\

—used to describe cloth that is very thin and light

Full Definition of DIAPHANOUS

: characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through <diaphanous fabrics>

: characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal <painted diaphanous landscapes>

: insubstantial, vague <had only a diaphanous hope of success>

— di·aph·a·nous·ly adverb

— di·aph·a·nous·ness noun

See diaphanous defined for English-language learners

Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show — more at fancy

First Known Use: 1614

Synonyms: cobwebby, sheer, filmy, gauzelike, gauzy, gossamer, gossamery, see-through, transparent

Next Word in the Dictionary: diaphonePrevious Word in the Dictionary: diaphanieAll Words Near: diaphanous

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