Gossamer
Origin
Middle English gossomer, from gos goose + somer summer, literally ‘summer thread'
Definitions
- 1: a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear weather
- 2: something light, delicate, or insubstantial <the gossamer of youth's dreams — Andrea Parke>
Description
Spider silk is a protein fiber spun by spiders. Spiders use their silk to make webs or other structures, which function as nets to catch other animals, or as nests or cocoons for protection for their offspring. They can also suspend themselves using their silk.
Many small spiders use silk threads for ballooning, the popular, though technically inaccurate, scientific term for the dynamic kiting[1][2] spiderlings (mostly) use for dispersal. They extrude several threads into the air and let themselves be carried away by upward winds. Although most rides will end a few yards later, it seems to be a common way for spiders to invade islands. Many sailors have reported that spiders have been caught in their ship's sails, even when far from land. The extremely fine silk used by spiders for ballooning is known as gossamer.[1]
