gloss

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: rubricglossarypolishglossinessburnishsemblancecolorcolourcommentannotate

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a textSynonyms: rubric
  2. an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that fieldSynonyms: glossary
  3. the property of being smooth and shinySynonyms: polishglossinessburnish
  4. 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”Synonyms: semblancecolorcolour

Verb (4)

  1. give a shine or gloss to, usually by rubbing
  2. provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases“He annotated on what his teacher had written”Synonyms: commentannotate
  3. provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
  4. give a deceptive explanation or excuse for“color a lie”Synonyms: colorcolour
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Gloss \Gloss\ (gl[o^]s), n. [Cf. Icel. glossi a blaze, glys finery, MHG. glosen to glow, G. glosten to glimmer; perh. akin to E. glass.]

1.Brightness or luster of a body proceeding from a smooth surface; polish; as, the gloss of silk; cloth is calendered to give it a gloss. [1913 Webster]

It is no part . . . to set on the face of this cause any fairer gloss than the naked truth doth afford.— Hooker.[1913 Webster]

2.A specious appearance; superficial quality or show. [1913 Webster]

To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art.— Goldsmith.[1913 Webster]
Gloss \Gloss\ (gl[o^]s), v. t.

1.To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to explain; to annotate. [1913 Webster]

2.To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious explanation. [1913 Webster]

You have the art to gloss the foulest cause.— Philips.[1913 Webster]
Gloss \Gloss\, v. i.

1.To make comments; to comment; to explain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2.To make sly remarks, or insinuations. --Prior. [1913 Webster]

Gloss \Gloss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Glossed; p. pr. & vb. n. Glossing.] To give a superficial luster or gloss to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth. [1913 Webster]

The glossed and gleamy wave. --J. R. Drake. [1913 Webster]

Gloss \Gloss\, n. [OE. glose, F. glose, L. glossa a difficult word needing explanation, fr. Gr. ? tongue, language, word needing explanation. Cf. Gloze, Glossary, Glottis.] [1913 Webster]

1.A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word requiring explanation. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2.An interpretation, consisting of one or more words, interlinear or marginal; an explanatory note or comment; a running commentary. [1913 Webster]

All this, without a gloss or comment, He would unriddle in a moment.— Hudibras.[1913 Webster]
Explaining the text in short glosses.— T. Baker.[1913 Webster]

3.A false or specious explanation. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

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