diaphanous |
American Heritage Dictionary (3 definitions)
- Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent: diaphanous tulle.
- Characterized by delicacy of form. See Synonyms at airy.
- Vague or insubstantial: diaphanous dreams of glory.
–adjective
Century Dictionary (1 definition)
- Transmitting light; permitting the passage of light; transparent; clear; translucent.
GNU Webster's 1913 (1 definition)
- Allowing light to pass through, as porcelain; translucent or transparent; pellucid; clear.
–adjective
WordNet (1 definition)
Elsewhere on the web
View all » Examples
As we stood gawping at them, a couple waddled past in diaphanous lace undergarments.
The familiar idea of "lady" seemed to be the line's inspiration, from sweet tea-length dresses with tobacco-colored bows, to flouncy blouses, ruffled skirts and peacock-like evening wear in diaphanous chiffon.
- One of the women in diaphanous robes, the eldest but still young, leaped gracefully to her feet.—A Crown of Swords
- Courtyards, tiled with greenstone, where ladies of the court in diaphanous gowns that concealed little of their curves dabbled pale fingers in the babbling waters of ornate fountains.—Conan The Triumphant
- They were lounging on divans by the courtyard pool, nibbling bits of roasted meat that slavegirls in diaphanous robes popped into their mouths.—Up The Line
Record your own »
Pronunciations
/ (dī-ăfˈə-nəs)/
ahd pronounces "diaphanous"
by
American Heritage Dictionary
On Twitter
Etymology
American Heritage Dictionary (1)
-
From Medieval Latin diaphanus, transparent, from Greek diaphanēs, from diaphainein, to be transparent : dia-, dia- + phainein, phan-, to show; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.
Century Dictionary
Stats
Diaphanous has been looked up 1,144 times, favorited 12 times, listed 160 times, commented on 13 times, and has a Scrabble score of 16.