gloss

¹gloss

noun \ˈgläs, ˈglȯs\

Definition of GLOSS

1

: a surface luster or brightness : shine

2

a : a deceptively attractive appearance <selfishness that had a gloss of humanitarianism about it>

b : bright often superficial attractiveness <show-biz gloss>

3

: a transparent cosmetic preparation for adding shine and usually color to the lips

Origin of GLOSS

akin to Middle High German glosen to glow, shine; akin to Old English geolu yellow

First Known Use: 1538

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, imperial, pocket, pomander, tonsorial

Rhymes with GLOSS

boss, doss, dross, floss, fosse, joss, Kos, Maas, os, pross, stoss, toss

²gloss

transitive verb

Definition of GLOSS

1

a : to mask the true nature of : give a deceptively attractive appearance to —used with over <the misery was general, where not glossed over by liberal application of alcohol — Marston Bates>

b : to deal with (a subject or problem) too lightly or not at all —used with over <glosses over scholarly controversies rather than confronting them head-on — John Israel>

2

: to give a gloss to

First Known Use of GLOSS

1656

³gloss

noun

Definition of GLOSS

1

a : a brief explanation (as in the margin or between the lines of a text) of a difficult or obscure word or expression

b : a false and often willfully misleading interpretation (as of a text)

2

a : glossary

b : an interlinear translation

c : a continuous commentary accompanying a text

3

: commentary, interpretation

Origin of GLOSS

alteration of gloze, from Middle English glose, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin glosa, glossa, from Greek glōssa, glōtta tongue, language, obscure word; akin to Greek glōchis projecting point

First Known Use: 1548

⁴gloss

transitive verb

Definition of GLOSS

1

a : to provide a gloss for : explain, define

b : interpret

2

: to dispose of by false or perverse interpretation <trying to gloss away the irrationalities of the universe — Irwin Edman>

First Known Use of GLOSS

1603