First Known Use: 1538
Dictionary
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
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Origin of GLOSS
akin to Middle High German glosen to glow, shine; akin to Old English geolu yellow
2gloss
verb
Definition of GLOSS
transitive verb
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
3
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
verb
Definition of GLOSS
transitive verb
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
GLOSS[2] Defined for Kids
1gloss
noun \ˈgläs, ˈglȯs\
Definition of GLOSS for Kids
1
: brightness from a smooth surface : sheen
2
: a falsely attractive surface appearance
2gloss
verb
glossedglos·sing
Definition of GLOSS for Kids
1
: to shine the surface of
2
: to explain as if unimportant <He glossed over a mistake.>
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