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Compared to "insubstantial," today's "gossamer" often works as a shorter, smoother, more concrete synonym. (Hear "insubstantial," and you're not sure what to imagine. Hear "gossamer," and imagine the impossibly delicate thread of a spiderweb.)
When "gossamer" is too showy, though, you could pick the more straightforward synonym "ten____," meaning "weak, flimsy, and very short on substance."
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"GOSSAMER"
Gossamer is the thin, filmy, silky material that spiders use to make webs. (Gossamer is also a kind of light, delicate material that's used to make thin, light things like wedding veils.)
Figuratively, something gossamer is so thin, light, and delicate that it reminds you of the stuff spiderwebs are made of.
Pronunciation:
GOSS uh mur
Part of speech:
Both a noun ("the gossamer," "such gossamer") and an adjective ("It's gossamer," "the gossamer thing"). The adjective is more common.
Other forms:
None in common use.
How to use it:
Setting aside any feelings about spiders, "gossamer" is a beautiful word. It's most often complimentary. Except when it's not: "a plan woven on gossamer logic," "a public figure with skin as thin as gossamer."
Be literal or figurative as you talk about gossamer things: "this gossamer dress," "that gossamer theory," "these gossamer threads of logic," "baklava with gossamer layers," "gossamer musical notes," etc.
Because this word relates to a literal spiderweb, you might talk about spinning or weaving something gossamer, the threads of something gossamer, a gossamer thread of something that floats in the air of something else, etc.
examples:
Just when you think society no longer glorifies emaciated bodies, another cartoon girl shows up, gossamer enough to be swept away by a light breeze.
It takes imagination to weave a story worth reading from the gossamer and pointless tale of the princess and the pea.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "gossamer" means when you can explain it without saying "silky" or "delicate."
try it out:
Think of something impossible (or nearly impossible) that you hoped for as a child. Fill in the blank: "I knew I'd probably never _____, but I held onto a gossamer thread of hope."
Example: "I knew I'd probably never sail through the air with an umbrella like Mary Poppins, but I held onto a gossamer thread of hope."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What is the 1 anagram for SPECIAL?
Answer: PLAICES. They're fish.
Try this one today: What are the 2 anagrams for MISTING?
review today's word:
1. One opposite of GOSSAMER is
A. SPINDLY
B. DIAPHANOUS
C. SUBSTANTIAL
2. Her sense of self is gossamer, easily _____.
A. shaped and remolded
B. torn apart and rewoven
C. toppled and reconstructed
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. C
2. B
Compared to "insubstantial," today's "gossamer" often works as a shorter, smoother, more concrete synonym. (Hear "insubstantial," and you're not sure what to imagine. Hear "gossamer," and imagine the impossibly delicate thread of a spiderweb.)
"GOSSAMER" Gossamer is the thin, filmy, silky material that spiders use to make webs. (Gossamer is also a kind of light, delicate material that's used to make thin, light things like wedding veils.) Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Just when you think society no longer glorifies emaciated bodies, another cartoon girl shows up, gossamer enough to be swept away by a light breeze.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "gossamer" means when you can explain it without saying "silky" or "delicate."
Think of something impossible (or nearly impossible) that you hoped for as a child. Fill in the blank: "I knew I'd probably never _____, but I held onto a gossamer thread of hope."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. One opposite of GOSSAMER is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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