Diaphanous
/daɪˈæfənəs/noun
Light, thin, and translucent enough to be seen through.
Did you know?Diaphanous comes from Greek and shares a root with words about *appearing* and *showing through*, which is why it feels so spectral and almost magical.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
diaphanēs
“visible through, transparent”
Late Latin
Latin
diaphanus
“transparent, pellucid”
Middle French
French
diaphane
“transparent”
16th Century
English
diaphanous
“transparent, clear, and delicate”
Modern English
English
diaphanous
“light, thin, and translucent”
Explore more surprising origins