¹enamel

verb enam·el \i-ˈna-məl\

enam·eled or enam·elledenam·el·ing or enam·el·ling\-ˈnam-liŋ, -ˈna-mə-\

Definition of ENAMEL

transitive verb

: to cover, inlay, or decorate with enamel

: to beautify with a colorful surface

: to form a glossy surface on (as paper, leather, or cloth)

— enam·el·er noun

— enam·el·ist \-mə-list\ noun

See enamel defined for kids

Origin 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

²enamel

noun

: 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

Full Definition of ENAMEL

: a usually opaque vitreous composition applied by fusion to the surface of metal, glass, or pottery

: a surface or outer covering that resembles enamel

a : something that is enameled

b : enamelware

: a cosmetic intended to give a smooth or glossy appearance

: a hard calcareous substance that forms a thin layer capping the teeth — see tooth illustration

: 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

First Known Use of ENAMEL

15th century

ENAMEL Defined for Kids

¹enamel

verb enam·el \i-ˈna-məl\

enam·eled or enam·elledenam·el·ing or enam·el·ling

Definition of ENAMEL for Kids

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

²enamel

noun

Definition of ENAMEL for Kids

: a glassy substance used to coat the surface of metal, glass, and pottery

: the hard outer surface of the teeth

: a paint that dries to form a hard glossy coat

Medical Dictionary

enamel

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