First Known Use: 1614
Dictionary
diaphanous
adjective di·aph·a·nous \dī-ˈa-fə-nəs\
—used to describe cloth that is very thin and light
Full Definition of DIAPHANOUS
1
: characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through <diaphanous fabrics>
2
: characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal <painted diaphanous landscapes>
3
: insubstantial, vague <had only a diaphanous hope of success>
— di·aph·a·nous·ly adverb
— di·aph·a·nous·ness noun
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Origin of DIAPHANOUS
Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show — more at fancy
Related to DIAPHANOUS
- Synonyms
- cobwebby, sheer, filmy, gauzelike, gauzy, gossamer, gossamery, see-through, transparent
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