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gloss

   Also found in: Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
gloss 1  (glôs, gls)
n.
1. A surface shininess or luster.
2. A superficially or deceptively attractive appearance.
v. glossed, gloss·ing, gloss·es
v.tr.
1. To give a bright sheen or luster to.
2. To make attractive or acceptable by deception or superficial treatment: a resumé that glossed over the applicant's lack of experience. See Synonyms at palliate.
v.intr.
To become shiny or lustrous.

[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic glossi, a spark; see ghel-2 in Indo-European roots.]

gloss 1
Noun
1. a bright shine on a surface
2. a superficially attractive appearance
3. a paint with a shiny finish
4. a cosmetic used to give a shiny appearance: lip gloss
Verb
1. to paint with gloss
2. gloss over to conceal (an error, failing, or awkward moment) by minimizing it: don't try to gloss over bad news [probably Scandinavian]

gloss 2
Noun
an explanatory comment added to the text of a book
Verb
to add a gloss or glosses to [Latin glossa unusual word requiring explanatory note]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.glossgloss - an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
explanation, account - a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"
2.gloss - an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
wordbook - a reference book containing words (usually with their meanings)
3.glossgloss - the property of being smooth and shiny
smoothness - a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch; "admiring the slim smoothness of her thighs"; "some artists prefer the smoothness of a board"
radiancy, refulgence, refulgency, shine, effulgence, radiance - the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
French polish - the glaze produced by repeated applications of French polish shellac
glaze - a glossy finish on a fabric
4.gloss - an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading; "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"
appearance, visual aspect - outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
color of law, colour of law - a mere semblance of legal right; something done with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law; "the plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights"
simulacrum - an insubstantial or vague semblance
face value - the apparent worth as opposed to the real worth
guise, pretence, pretext, pretense - an artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"
camouflage, disguise - an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something; "the theatrical notion of disguise is always associated with catastrophe in his stories"
verisimilitude - the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
Verb1.gloss - give a shine or gloss to, usually by rubbing
polish, smooth, smoothen, shine - make (a surface) shine; "shine the silver, please"; "polish my shoes"
hush up, sleek over, whitewash, gloss over - cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error; "Let's not whitewash the crimes of Stalin"; "She tried to gloss over her mistakes"
gloss over, skate over, skimp over, slur over, smooth over - treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly
2.gloss - provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases; "He annotated on what his teacher had written"
rede, interpret - give an interpretation or explanation to
3.gloss - provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
translate, interpret, render - restate (words) from one language into another language; "I have to translate when my in-laws from Austria visit the U.S."; "Can you interpret the speech of the visiting dignitaries?"; "She rendered the French poem into English"; "He translates for the U.N."
4.gloss - give a deceptive explanation or excuse for; "color a lie"
apologise, rationalize, apologize, rationalise, justify, excuse - defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"

gloss 1
gloss 2
Translations
Spanish gloss [glɔs] n (= shine) → brillo;
(also: gloss paint) → (pintura) esmalte m
gloss over vt fusrestar importancia a (= omit); pasar por alto

French gloss [glɔs] n (= shine) → brillant m, vernis m;
(also: gloss paint) → peinture brillante or laquée
gloss over vt fusglisser sur

German gloss [glɔs] nGlanz m;
(also: gloss paint) → Lack m, Lackfarbe f
gloss over gloss vt fusvom Tisch wischen

Italian gloss [glɔs] n (= shine) → lucentezza;
(also: gloss paint) → vernice f a olio
gloss over vt fusscivolare su

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It was exactly as if they had both had at heart to gloss over any recent little friction.
A gloss shining beyond the purest brightness of Parian marble.
Its merits as a prepartion for the hair are undeniable--it imparts to it a superb gloss and a silky fineness.
 
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