gloss
Other forms: glosses; glossed; glossing
A gloss is a shiny finish on an object. It’s also an explanation about a word or phrase. Right now, you’re reading a gloss on the word gloss.
Gloss has a number of meanings, so it’s a good idea to read our gloss on this word. Gloss can refer to the shine or polish on a smooth surface. A gloss can also be a definition or explanation. A book may have glosses that explain what unusual or technical terms mean. Sometimes gloss has a negative sense: if you leave out important information when discussing something, you could be accused of glossing over those details.
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the property of being smooth and shiny
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synonyms:
burnish, glossiness, polish
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types:
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French polish
the glaze produced by repeated applications of French polish shellac
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glaze
a glossy finish on a fabric
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patina
a sheen or gloss on a surface, especially resulting from use or age
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type of:
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smoothness
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
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effulgence, radiance, radiancy, refulgence, refulgency, shine
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
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French polish
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give a shine or gloss to, usually by rubbing
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provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
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provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases
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give a deceptive explanation or excuse for
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type of:
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apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
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apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize
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an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
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synonyms:
rubric
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type of:
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account, explanation
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
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account, explanation
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an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
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an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading“he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of moral sanction”
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types:
- show 6 types...
- hide 6 types...
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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
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simulacrum
an insubstantial or vague semblance
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face value
the apparent worth as opposed to the real worth
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guise, pretence, pretense, pretext
an artful or simulated semblance
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camouflage, disguise
an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something
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verisimilitude
the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
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type of:
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appearance, visual aspect
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing gloss
Eight-year-old George is in for the surprise of his life when he sees the results of a special medicine he creates to cure his grandmother of her grouchy habits.
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