glair

or glaire

[ glair ]

noun

1. the white of an egg.
2. a glaze or size made of egg white.
3. any viscous substance like egg white.

verb (used with object)

1. to coat with glair.

glair

/ ɡlɛə /

noun

1. white of egg, esp when used as a size, glaze, or adhesive, usually in bookbinding
2. any substance resembling this

verb

1. tr to apply glair to (something)

Derived Forms

• ˈglairy, adjective
• ˈglairiness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glair¹

1300–50; Middle English glaire < Old French: white of an egg < Vulgar Latin *clāria; compare Latin clārus clear

Word History and Origins

Origin of glair¹

C14: from Old French glaire, from Vulgar Latin clāria (unattested) clear , from Latin clārus

Example Sentences

If the gold should be injured in any way, the press must be tilted so as to allow a little glair to run under the gold to the spot and then a larger piece is laid over the faulty place.

From Project Gutenberg

One end is carefully lowered until the glair has run to one side and dripped off.

From Project Gutenberg

Slight flaws in the gold itself, or due to bubbles in the glair, may be put right by touching the faulty places with a small brush dipped in rectified spirit and immediately laying on a piece of gold; if the edges had not yet been gone over with the waxed rag, it would be sufficient to breathe on the place, lay on the gold, and burnish under paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Take care that no glair runs on to the fore-edge when applying it or when draining it off.

From Project Gutenberg

Then plenty of glair is applied and the gold quickly and truly laid on.

From Project Gutenberg