gloss Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
    rubric.
  2. noun an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
    glossary.
  3. noun the property of being smooth and shiny
    glossiness; polish; burnish.
  4. noun an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
    color; colour; semblance.
    • he hoped his claims would have a semblance of authenticity
    • he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of moral sanction
    • the situation soon took on a different color
  5. verb give a shine or gloss to, usually by rubbing
  6. verb provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases
    comment; annotate.
    • He annotated on what his teacher had written
  7. verb provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
  8. verb give a deceptive explanation or excuse for
    color; colour.
    • color a lie

WordNet

Gloss noun
Etymology
Cf. Icel. glossi a blaze, glys finery, MHG. glosen to glow, G. glosten to glimmer; perh. akin to E. glass.
Definitions
  1. Bbrightness or luster of a body proceeding from a smooth surface; polish; as, the gloss of silk; cloth is calendered to give it a gloss.
    It is no part . . . to set on the face of this cause any fairer gloss than the naked truth doth afford. Hooker.
  2. A specious appearance; superficial quality or show.
    To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art. Goldsmith.
Gloss transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Glossed ; present participle & verbal noun Glossing
Definitions
  1. To give a superficial luster or gloss to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth.
    The glossed and gleamy wave. J. R. Drake.
Gloss noun
Etymology
OE. glose, F. glose, L. glossa a difficult word needing explanation, fr. Gr. tongue, language, word needing explanation. Cf. Gloze, Glossary, Glottis.
Definitions
  1. A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word requiring explanation. Obs.
  2. An interpretation, consisting of one or more words, interlinear or marginal; an explanatory note or comment; a running commentary.
    All this, without a gloss or comment, He would unriddle in a moment. Hudibras.
    Explaining the text in short glosses. T. Baker.
  3. A false or specious explanation. Dryden.
Gloss transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to explain; to annotate.
  2. To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious explanation.
    You have the art to gloss the foulest cause. Philips.
Gloss intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make comments; to comment; to explain. Dryden.
  2. To make sly remarks, or insinuations. Prior.

Webster 1913