“Diaphanous” comes from a Greek word that means “to show through.” The Greek root word “phainein” (meaning “to show”) is related to “phantazein” (meaning “make visible”), which is the root of the English word “fantasy.” The adjective “diaphanous” almost exclusively applies to light, gauzy, translucent fabric, which is often used to make fancy, fantastical gowns. Chiffons, silks, satins, and laces are all diaphanous fabrics.