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gloss - What does it mean?

Definition of 'gloss'

English

Etymology 1

From a Germanic language, perhaps (etyl), (etyl) or (etyl) (compare ).

Noun

  • (uncountable) A surface shine or luster/lustre
  • (uncountable|figuratively) A superficially or deceptively attractive appearance
  • * Goldsmith
  • To me more dear, congenial to my heart, / One native charm than all the gloss of art.
  • * 2013 , Daniel Taylor, Danny Welbeck leads England's rout of Moldova but hit by Ukraine ban'' (in ''The Guardian , 6 September 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/06/england-moldova-world-cup-qualifier-matchreport]
  • Hodgson may now have to bring in James Milner on the left and, on that basis, a certain amount of gloss was taken off a night on which Welbeck scored twice but barely celebrated either before leaving the pitch angrily complaining to the Slovakian referee.
    Synonyms
    * (surface shine ): brilliance, gleam, luster/lustre, sheen, shine * (superficially or deceptively attractive appearance ): , front, veneer

    Verb

    (es)
  • To give a gloss or sheen to.
  • To make (something) attractive by deception
  • * Philips
  • You have the art to gloss the foulest cause.
  • To become shiny.
  • Synonyms
    * (give a gloss or sheen to ): polish, shine * (make (something) attractive by deception ): * (become shiny ):

    Etymology 2

    From .

    Noun

    (wikipedia) (es)
  • (countable) A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word requiring explanation.
  • (countable) A brief explanatory note or translation of a difficult or complex expression, usually inserted in the margin or between lines of a text.
  • * Hudibras
  • All this, without a gloss or comment, / He would unriddle in a moment.
  • (countable) A glossary; a collection of such notes.
  • (countable) An extensive commentary on some text.
  • (rfv-sense) (countable) A deliberately misleading explanation.
  • (Dryden)
  • (countable) A brief explanation in speech or in a written work, including a synonym used with the intent of indicating the meaning of the word to which it is applied
  • (countable|legal|US) An interpretation by a court of specific point within a statute or case law
  • * 2007 Bruce R. Hopkins. The law of tax-exempt organizations. p. 76
  • Judicial Gloss on Test [section title]
  • * 1979 American Bar Foundation. Annotated code of professional responsibility . p. ix
  • This volume is thus not a narrowly defined treatment of the Code of Professional Responsibility but rather represents a "common law" gloss on it.
    Synonyms
    * (brief explanatory note or translation of a difficult or complex expression ): explanation, note * (glossary ): glossary, lexicon * (extensive commentary on some text ): commentary, discourse, discussion * (deliberately misleading explanation ): deception, lie

    Verb

    (es)
  • To add a gloss to (a text).
  • (rfv-sense) To give a deliberately false interpretation of.
  • Synonyms
    * (add a gloss to ): annotate, mark up * (give a deliberately false interpretation of ): misrepresent