Light, delicate, and translucent; allowing light to pass through. So fine in texture as to be transparent or nearly transparent.
From Greek 'diaphanes,' combining 'dia' (through) and 'phainein' (to show). The word entered English in the 17th century, maintaining its sense of transparency and delicacy.
Think 'dia' (through) + 'phantom' (ghostly) = so sheer you can see through it like a ghost! Diaphanous fabrics are phantom-like in their transparency.
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