Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Origin: goose + summer; probably because gossamer appears at a time of year when geese are ready for eating

gossamer

 noun
     
Related topics: Insects
gos‧sa‧mer [uncountable]
1 literary a very light thin material
2HBI the light silky thread which spiders leave on grass and bushes
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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