gauze
UK[ɡɔːz]US[ɡɑːz]
n
a very thin, light cloth, used especially for making cloths to cover wounds
n
a thin, transparent fabric of silk, linen, or cotton
n
a thin, misty haze
Etymology
the word 'gauze' entered english in the mid-16th century from the french word 'gaze'. the french term is believed to derive from 'gaza', the name of the palestinian city of gaza, which was a center for textile production and trade. this etymology reflects a common pattern where a product becomes associated with its place of origin. the original fabric was likely a fine, transparent silk, with the meaning later expanding to include similar lightweight fabrics, especially the cotton mesh used in medicine.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
the nurse applied a sterile gauze to the patient's cut.
the curtains were made of a delicate white gauze that diffused the sunlight.
a gauze of morning fog hung over the valley.