(ˈ)dī|afənəs adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show — more at fancy
1. : characterized by such fineness and delicacy of texture as to permit seeing through usually with a high degree of clarity
diaphanous gowns of chiffon, lace, or net
diaphanous water through which fish may be clearly seen
2. : composed or arranged to permit ready perception or comprehension of an inner or veiled essence or substance
I like diaphanous illusions, with the shapes of things as they are showing not too faintly through them — L.P.Smith
3. : characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal
poetic and diaphanous landscapes — Wolfgang Born
the fantastic, the diaphanous , airy scherzo, nimble-footed and delicate, like a fairy's dance — Hugo Leichtentritt
4. : insubstantial , vague
the diaphanous possibility, becoming each day more amorphous — Donn Byrne
Synonyms: see clear