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diaphany

diaphany

9.9
A thin, light piece of cloth that lets light pass through
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : diáfano
  • The dress was made of a beautiful diaphany that shimmered in the light.

Examples

  • He admired the diaphany of the curtain as it gently filtered the morning light.

  • The artist used a layer of diaphany to create a soft, glowing effect in her painting.

  • A delicate diaphany hung between the two rooms, shimmering in the afternoon sun.

  • Can you see the diaphany in this artwork?

  • A delicate diaphany hung between the two rooms, shimmering in the afternoon sun.

  • He admired the diaphany of the curtain as it gently filtered the morning light.

  • The artist used a layer of diaphany to create a soft, glowing effect in her painting.

Antonyms

1 4.7

An object that does not let light pass

How Transparent

gauze
43 3.6
diaphany
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

diaphany singular
diaphanies plural

Morphology

diaphany = diaphanous (semi-transparent) = diaphan + y

Formed by a regular nominalizing -y on the diaphan- element related to 'diaphanous', but the combining form is obscure and the noun sense 'a thin material' is a specialized nominalization.

Etymology

Diaphany comes from old Greek parts dia- 'through' and phainein 'to show', giving the picture of light 'showing through' a thin cloth. That's why a diaphany can mean a thin, delicate material like gauze that lets light pass through.