gloss
1
[ glos, glaws ]
/ glɒs, glɔs /
noun
a superficial luster or shine; glaze: the gloss of satin.
a false or deceptively good appearance.
Also glosser.
a cosmetic that adds sheen or luster, especially one for the lips.
verb (used with object)
to put a gloss upon.
to give a false or deceptively good appearance to: to gloss over flaws in the woodwork.
Origin of gloss
1
1530–40; probably akin to Dutch
gloos glowing, Middle High German
glosen to glow, shine, Swedish dialect
glysa to shine
OTHER WORDS FROM gloss
gloss·less, adjectiveWords nearby gloss
glory hole,
glory-of-the-snow,
glory-of-the-sun,
glory-pea,
glos,
gloss,
gloss over,
gloss paint,
gloss.,
glossa,
glossal
Definition for gloss (2 of 4)
gloss
2
[ glos, glaws ]
/ glɒs, glɔs /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to make glosses.
Origin of gloss
2
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English
glose (< Old French
glose) < Medieval Latin
glōsa, glōza < Greek
glôssa word requiring explanation, literally, language, tongue; (v.) Middle English
glosen < Medieval Latin
glōssāre, derivative of
glōsa; cf.
gloze, reflecting the Old French pronunciation of verb
SYNONYMS FOR gloss
OTHER WORDS FROM gloss
gloss·ing·ly, adverbDefinition for gloss (3 of 4)
glosso-
a combining form meaning “tongue, word, speech,” used in the formation of compound words: glossology.
Origin of glosso-
< Greek (Ionic), combining form of
glôssa
Definition for gloss (4 of 4)
Example sentences from the Web for gloss
British Dictionary definitions for gloss (1 of 4)
gloss
1
/ (ɡlɒs) /
noun
- lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface
- (as modifier)gloss paint
a superficially attractive appearance
See gloss paint
a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheen
lip gloss
verb
to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss
See also
gloss over
Derived forms of gloss
glosser, noun glossless, adjectiveWord Origin for gloss
C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic
glossi flame, Middle High German
glosen to glow
British Dictionary definitions for gloss (2 of 4)
gloss
2
/ (ɡlɒs) /
noun
a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc
an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation
short for glossary
verb (tr)
to add glosses to
Derived forms of gloss
glosser, noun glossingly, adverbWord Origin for gloss
C16: from Latin
glōssa unusual word requiring explanatory note, from Ionic Greek
British Dictionary definitions for gloss (3 of 4)
gloss.
abbreviation for
glossary
British Dictionary definitions for gloss (4 of 4)
glosso-
before a vowel gloss-
combining form
indicating a tongue or language
glossolaryngeal
Word Origin for glosso-
from Greek
glossa tongue
Medical definitions for gloss
glosso-
pref.
Tongue:glossospasm.