glass

¹glass

noun, often attributive \ˈglas, ˈgläs\

Definition of GLASS

1

: any of various amorphous materials formed from a melt by cooling to rigidity without crystallization: as

a : a usually transparent or translucent material consisting typically of a mixture of silicates

b : a material (as obsidian) produced by fast cooling of magma

2

a : something made of glass: as (1) : tumbler; also : glassware (2) : mirror (3) : barometer (4) : hourglass (5) : backboard 1

b (1) : an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen (2) : field glasses, binoculars —usually used in plural

c plural : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place —called also eyeglasses, spectacles

3

: the quantity held by a glass container

4

: fiberglass

— glass·ful \ˈglas-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— glass·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of GLASS

1. The waiter filled our glasses with water.
2. She drank two glasses of water.
3. She was wearing dark glasses with thick black frames.

Origin of GLASS

Middle English glas, from Old English glæs; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GLASS

Synonyms

eyeglasses, specs, spectacles

Related Words

bifocals, half-glasses, trifocals; lorgnette, monocle, pince-nez; sunglasses; goggles; contact lens

Rhymes with GLASS

ass, bass, brass, class, crass, frass, gas, grass, lass, mass, pass, sass, strass, tasse, vas, wrasse

²glass

verb

Definition of GLASS

transitive verb

1

a : to provide with glass : glaze 1

b : to enclose, case, or wall with glass <the sunroom was glassed in>

2

: to make glassy

3

a : reflect

b : to see mirrored

4

: to look at through an optical instrument (as binoculars)

intransitive verb

: ¹glaze 1

First Known Use of GLASS

14th century

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Glass

biographical name \ˈglas\

Definition of GLASS

Carter 1858–1946 Am. statesman

Glass

biographical name

Definition of GLASS

Philip 1937–     Am. composer

glass

noun , often attrib \ˈglas\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of GLASS

1

a : an amorphous inorganic usually transparent or translucent substance consisting of a mixture of silicates or sometimes borates or phosphates formed by fusion of silica or of oxides of boron or phosphorus with a flux and a stabilizer into a mass that cools to a rigid condition without crystallization b : a substance resembling glass especially in hardness and transparency <organic glasses made from plastics>

2

a : an optical instrument or device that has one or more lenses and is designed to aid in the viewing of objects not readily seen b glasses pl : a device used to correct defects of vision or to protect the eyes that consists typically of a pair of glass or plastic lenses and the frame by which they are held in place—called also eyeglasses

glass

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Solid material, typically a mix of inorganic compounds, usually transparent or translucent, hard, brittle, and impervious to the natural elements (“vitreous properties”). It is made by cooling molten ingredients fast enough so no visible crystals form. A poor conductor of heat and electricity, glass takes on colours when certain metal oxides are included in the mix. Most glass breaks easily. Obsidian is a naturally occurring glass. Everyday glass (soda-lime or soda-lime-silica) is made of silica (silicon dioxide), soda (sodium carbonate), and limestone (calcium carbonate), with magnesia (magnesium oxide) for sheet glass or alumina (aluminum oxide) for bottle glass. Fused silica is an excellent glass but expensive because of pure silica's very high melting point. Borosilicate glass (e.g., Pyrex) is used for cookware and laboratory glassware because it expands very little when heated. Lead crystal is used for fine tableware. It has a heavy feel because of its lead oxide content and a sparkle due to its high refraction index. Even more specialized glasses include optical, photosensitive, metallic, and fibre-optic. Since glass has no sharp melting point, most types can be shaped while hot and plastic by many techniques, mostly blowing or molding. See also volcanic glass.