Definition of gloss
(Entry 1 of 4)
1
: a surface luster or brightness : shine
2a
: 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
gloss
verb (1)
glossed; glossing; glosses
Definition of gloss (Entry 2 of 4)
1a
: 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
gloss
noun (2)Definition of gloss (Entry 3 of 4)
1a
: 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)
3
: commentary, interpretation
gloss
verb (2)
glossed; glossing; glosses
Definition of gloss (Entry 4 of 4)
2
: to dispose of by false or perverse interpretation
trying to gloss away the irrationalities of the universe— Irwin Edman
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Time Traveler for gloss
The first known use of gloss was in 1538
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