Gŏs'sa-mer, n.

n. [O. Eng. gossomer, gossamere, gossamore, gossamore; perhaps contracted from good and summer, because these webs were considered as remnants of the neckcloth of the Virgin Mary, with which she was invested in the grave, and which, on her ascension to heaven, she dropped to earth; whence Fr. fils de la vierge, It. filamenti della madonna, Sw. Marietråd, Dan. Mariæspind, D. Mariendraudjes, Ger. unserer lieben frauen sommer, mariengarn, N. Lat. filā direc virginis; or more probably from gorse and summer, as this web is frequently seen on gorse or furze and other low bushes.] 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 probably formed by a species of spider.