gloss

¹

[ glos, glaws ]

noun

1. a superficial luster or shine; glaze:

   the gloss of satin.

2. a false or deceptively good appearance.

   Synonyms: facade, veneer, front

3. Also . a cosmetic that adds sheen or luster, especially one for the lips.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a gloss upon.
2. to give a false or deceptively good appearance to:

   to gloss over flaws in the woodwork.

gloss

²

[ glos, glaws ]

noun

1. an explanation or translation of a foreign, technical, or unusual word or expression in a text.

   Synonyms: annotation, comment

2. a series of verbal interpretations of a text.

   Synonyms: explication, exegesis, critique, commentary

3. a glossary.
4. an artfully misleading interpretation.

verb (used with object)

1. to insert glosses on; annotate.

   Synonyms: explicate, analyze, interpret, explain

2. to place (a word) in a gloss.
3. to give a specious interpretation of; explain away (often followed by over or away ):

   to gloss over a serious problem with a pat solution.

verb (used without object)

1. to make glosses.

gloss.

³

abbreviation for

1. glossary.

gloss.

¹

abbreviation for

1. glossary

gloss

²

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc
2. an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation
3. short for glossary

verb

1. to add glosses to

gloss

³

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. 1. lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface
   2. ( as modifier )

      gloss paint

2. a superficially attractive appearance
3. See gloss paint
4. a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheen

   lip gloss

verb

1. to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss

Derived Forms

• ˈglosser, noun
• ˈglossingly, adverb
• ˈglosser, noun
• ˈglossless, adjective

Other Words From

• glossless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloss¹

First recorded in 1530–40; probably akin to Dutch gloos “glowing,” Middle High German glosen “to glow, shine,” Swedish dialect glysa “to shine”

Origin of gloss²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun glose, gloce, from Old French glose, from Medieval Latin glōsa, glōza, from Greek glôssa “word requiring explanation,” literally, “language, tongue”; gloze,

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloss¹

C16: from Latin glōssa unusual word requiring explanatory note, from Ionic Greek

Origin of gloss²

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic glossi flame, Middle High German glosen to glow

Synonym Study

See polish.

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer