enamel

play

verb enam·el \i-ˈna-məl\

Definition of enamel

enameled

enamelled

;

enameling

enamelling

play \i-ˈnam-liŋ, -ˈna-mə-\

transitive verb
1 : to cover, inlay, or decorate with enamel
2 : to beautify with a colorful surface
3 : to form a glossy surface on (a material, such as paper, leather, or cloth)

enameler

noun

enamelist

play \i-ˈna-mə-list\ noun

See enamel defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of enamel

Middle English, from Anglo-French enameller, from en- + asmal, esmal enamel, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smelzan to melt — more at smelt

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

enamel

noun enam·el

Definition of enamel

1 : a usually opaque vitreous composition applied by fusion to the surface of metal, glass, or pottery
2 : a surface or outer covering that resembles enamel
3a : something that is enameledb : enamelware
4 : a cosmetic intended to give a smooth or glossy appearance
5 : a hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer capping the teeth — see tooth illustration
6 : a paint that flows out to a smooth coat when applied and that dries with a glossy appearance

See enamel defined for English-language learners

Examples of enamel in a Sentence

The tea set is decorated with enamel.
an artist who works with enamels
The museum has a fine collection of enamels.

15th Century

First Known Use of enamel

15th century

ENAMEL Defined for English Language Learners

enamel

noun enam·el

Definition of enamel for English Language Learners

: a material like colored glass that is heated until it is liquid and then used to decorate the surface of metal, glass, or pottery
: something decorated with enamel
: the very hard outer layer of a tooth

ENAMEL Defined for Kids

enamel

play

verb enam·el \i-ˈna-məl\

Definition of enamel for Students

enameled

enamelled

;

enameling

enamelling

: to cover or decorate with a smooth hard glossy coating enamel a pot

enamel

play

noun enam·el

Definition of enamel for Students

1 : a glassy substance used to coat the surface of metal, glass, and pottery
2 : the hard outer surface of the teeth
3 : a paint that dries to form a hard glossy coat

Medical Dictionary

enamel

play

noun enam·el \in-ˈam-əl\

Medical Definition of enamel

: the intensely hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer partly covering the teeth of many vertebrates including humans, is the hardest substance of the animal body, and consists of minute prisms secreted by ameloblasts, arranged at right angles to the surface, and bound together by a cement substance—compare cementum, dentin