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diaphanous

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
di·aph·a·nous  (d-f-ns)
adj.
1. Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent: diaphanous tulle.
2. Characterized by delicacy of form. See Synonyms at airy.
3. Vague or insubstantial: diaphanous dreams of glory.

[From Medieval Latin diaphanus, transparent, from Greek diaphans, from diaphainein, to be transparent : dia-, dia- + phainein, phan-, to show; see bh-1 in Indo-European roots.]

dia·pha·nei·ty (d-f-n-t), di·apha·nous·ness n.
di·apha·nous·ly adv.

diaphanous [daɪˈæfənəs]
adj
(Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) (usually of fabrics such as silk) fine and translucent
[from Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs transparent, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show]
diaphanously  adv
diaphanousness , diaphaneity [ˌdaɪəfəˈniːɪtɪ] n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.diaphanousdiaphanous - so thin as to transmit light; "a hat with a diaphanous veil"; "filmy wings of a moth"; "gauzy clouds of dandelion down"; "gossamer cobwebs"; "sheer silk stockings"; "transparent chiffon"; "vaporous silks"
thin - of relatively small extent from one surface to the opposite or in cross section; "thin wire"; "a thin chiffon blouse"; "a thin book"; "a thin layer of paint"

diaphanous
noun fine, light, thin, sheer, delicate, transparent, see-through, translucent, chiffon, gossamer, gauzy, filmy, pellucid, cobwebby a diaphanous dress of pale gold chiffon
Translations
diaphanous [daɪˈæfənəs] ADJdiáfano
diaphanous [daɪˈæfənəs] adj [fabric, garment] → diaphane
diaphanous
diaphanous [daɪˈæfənəs] adjdiafano/a
diaphanous [daɪˈæfənəs] adjdiafano/a


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The wide expanse that opened out before the heights on which the Russian batteries stood guarding the bridge was at times veiled by a diaphanous curtain of slanting rain, and then, suddenly spread out in the sunlight, far-distant objects could be clearly seen glittering as though freshly varnished.
she said, in a deliberate sweet voice that seemed to clothe her words in a diaphanous garment of impalpable irony.
This beautiful and diaphanous quality of the Rocky Mountain streams prevails for a long time after they have mingled their waters and swollen into important rivers.
 
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