DIAPHANOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does diaphanous mean? 

• DIAPHANOUS (adjective)
  The adjective DIAPHANOUS has 1 sense:

1. so thin as to transmit light

  Familiarity information: DIAPHANOUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIAPHANOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

So thin as to transmit light

Synonyms:

cobwebby; diaphanous; filmy; gauze-like; gauzy; gossamer; see-through; sheer; transparent; vaporous; vapourous

Context example:

vaporous silks

Similar:

thin (of relatively small extent from one surface to the opposite or in cross section)

 Context examples 

Activated RhoGTP binds to downstream kinases such as Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (p160ROCK) and p140 diaphanous (p140Dia) to increase actin polymerization and contraction.

(Extracellular Matrix Binding Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

It was a wild, cold, seasonable night of March, with a pale moon, lying on her back as though the wind had tilted her, and flying wrack of the most diaphanous and lawny texture.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

This phantom wore many faces, but it always had golden hair, was enveloped in a diaphanous cloud, and floated airily before his mind's eye in a pleasing chaos of roses, peacocks, white ponies, and blue ribbons.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)