goss

n. [ OE. gossomer, gossummer, gosesomer, perh. for goose summer, from its downy appearance, or perh. for God's summer, cf. G. mariengarr gossamer, properly Mary's yarn, in allusion to the Virgin Mary. Perhaps the E. word alluded to a legend that the gossamer was the remnant of the Virgin Mary's winding sheet, which dropped from her when she was taken up to heaven. For the use of summer in the sense of film or threads, cf. G. Mädchensommer, Altweibersommer, fliegender Sommer, all meaning, gossamer. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A fine, filmy substance, like cobwebs, floating in the air, in calm, clear weather, especially in autumn. It is seen in stubble fields and on furze or low bushes, and is formed by small spiders. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any very thin gauzelike fabric; also, a thin waterproof stuff. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An outer garment, made of waterproof gossamer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gossamer spider (Zool.), any small or young spider which spins webs by which to sail in the air. See Ballooning spider. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like gossamer; flimsy. [ 1913 Webster ]

The greatest master of gossamery affectation. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Geol.) Decomposed rock, usually reddish or ferruginous (owing to oxidized pyrites), forming the upper part of a metallic vein. Called also iron hat. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gossan + -ferous. ] Containing or producing gossan. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A small British marine fish (Motella tricirrata); -- called also whistler and three-bearded rockling. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A gossip. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. gossib, godsib, a relation or sponsor in baptism, a relation by a religious obligation, AS. godsibb, fr. god + sib alliance, relation; akin to G. sippe, Goth. sibja, and also to Skr. sabhā assembly. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A sponsor; a godfather or a godmother. [ 1913 Webster ]

Should a great lady that was invited to be a gossip, in her place send her kitchen maid, 't would be ill taken. Selden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A friend or comrade; a companion; a familiar and customary acquaintance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who runs house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler. [ 1913 Webster ]

The common chat of gossips when they meet. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The tattle of a gossip; groundless rumor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bubbles o'er like a city with gossip, scandal, and spite. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To stand sponsor to. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]