glaze

[ gleyz ]

verb (used with object)

, glazed, glaz·ing.

1. to furnish or fill with glass:

   to glaze a window.

2. to give a vitreous surface or coating to (a ceramic or the like), as by the application of a substance or by fusion of the body.
3. to cover with a smooth, glossy surface or coating.
4. Cooking. to coat (a food) with sugar, a sugar syrup, or some other glossy, edible substance.
5. Fine Arts. to cover (a painted surface or parts of it) with a thin layer of transparent color in order to modify the tone.
6. to give a glassy surface to, as by polishing.
7. to give a coating of ice to (frozen food) by dipping in water.
8. to grind (cutlery blades) in preparation for finishing.

verb (used without object)

, glazed, glaz·ing.

1. to become glazed or glassy:

   Their eyes glazed over as the lecturer droned on.

2. (of a grinding wheel) to lose abrasive quality through polishing of the surface from wear.

noun

1. a smooth, glossy surface or coating.
2. the substance for producing such a coating.
3. Ceramics.
   1. a vitreous layer or coating on a piece of pottery.
   2. the substance of which such a layer or coating is made.
4. Fine Arts. a thin layer of transparent color spread over a painted surface.
5. a smooth, lustrous surface on certain fabrics, produced by treating the material with a chemical and calendering.
6. Cooking.
   1. a substance used to coat a food, especially sugar or sugar syrup.
   2. stock cooked down to a thin paste for applying to the surface of meats.
7. Also called glaze ice,. a thin coating of ice on terrestrial objects, caused by rain that freezes on impact. Compare rime ¹( def 1 ).

glaze

/ ɡleɪz /

verb

1. tr to fit or cover with glass
2. tr ceramics to cover with a vitreous solution, rendering impervious to liquid and smooth to the touch
3. tr to cover (a painting) with a layer of semitransparent colour to modify the tones
4. tr to cover (foods) with a shiny coating by applying beaten egg, sugar, etc
5. tr to make glossy or shiny
6. whenintr, often foll by over to become or cause to become glassy

   his eyes were glazing over

noun

1. ceramics
   1. a vitreous or glossy coating
   2. the substance used to produce such a coating
2. a semitransparent coating applied to a painting to modify the tones
3. a smooth lustrous finish on a fabric produced by applying various chemicals
4. something used to give a glossy surface to foods

   a syrup glaze

Derived Forms

• ˈglazy, adjective
• glazed, adjective
• ˈglazer, noun

Other Words From

• glaz·i·ly adverb
• glaz·i·ness noun
• re·glaze verb (used with object) reglazed reglazing
• sem·i·glaze noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glaze¹

1325–75; Middle English glasen, derivative of glas glass

Word History and Origins

Origin of glaze¹

C14 glasen, from glas glass

Example Sentences

The men who wrote the note in 1892 had been at the lighthouse to install a different type of lantern and glazing at the top of the tower.

From BBC

“You know, we hear the noise constantly. We've got double glazing in, but it don't work. You still hear the noise!”

From BBC

The home of ceramist Raina Lee includes a tree house featuring her pottery as well as a garage studio that houses her pottery wheel, kilns and her crackly volcanic glazes.

From Los Angeles Times

His biggest gripe is with the “No More Parties In L.A.” rapper’s removal of the glazing of the floors.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, to make them more appealing to the tastebuds and eyes, flavour enhancers, colours, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and glazing agents are added.

From BBC

Related Words

• enamel
• sheen