enamel

[ih-nam-uhl]

noun

1. a glassy substance, usually opaque, applied by fusion to the surface of metal, pottery, etc., as an ornament or for protection.

2. enamelware.

3. any of various varnishes, paints, coatings, etc., drying to a hard, glossy finish.

4. any enamellike surface with a bright luster.

5. an artistic work executed in enamel.

6. Dentistry.,  the hard, glossy, calcareous covering of the crown of a tooth, containing only a slight amount of organic substance.

verb (used with object)

enameled, enameling , enamelled, enamelling .

1. to inlay or overlay with enamel.

2. to form an enamellike surface upon.

   to enamel cardboard.

3. to decorate as with enamel; variegate with colors.

enamel

/ ɪˈnæməl /

noun

1. a coloured glassy substance, translucent or opaque, fused to the surface of articles made of metal, glass, etc, for ornament or protection

2. an article or articles ornamented with enamel

3. an enamel-like paint or varnish

4. any smooth glossy coating resembling enamel

5. another word for nail polish

6. the hard white calcified substance that covers the crown of each tooth

7. (modifier)

   1. decorated or covered with enamel

      an enamel ring

   2. made with enamel

      enamel paste

verb

1. to inlay, coat, or otherwise decorate with enamel

2. to ornament with glossy variegated colours, as if with enamel

3. to portray in enamel

enamel

1. The hard, translucent substance covering the exposed portion of a tooth in mammals. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, and consists mostly of calcium salts.

enamel

1. The hard, white substance that covers the crown of a tooth.

Other Word Forms

• enameler noun
• enamelist noun
• enamelwork noun
• unenameled adjective
• unenamelled adjective
• enameller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enamel¹

1275–1325; Middle English enamelen < Anglo-French enameler, enamailler, equivalent to en- en- ¹ + -amaler, derivative of asmal, esmal enamel, Old French esmail ( -al taken as the suffix -ail ) < Old Low Franconian *smalt- something melted, cognate with German Schmalz fat; akin to smelt ¹; smalto

Word History and Origins

Origin of enamel¹

C15: from Old French esmail, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German smalz lard; see _smelt ¹

Example Sentences

The method begins with cleaning the tooth surface and then carefully removing only the enamel for testing.

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Scientists from King's College London discovered that keratin can rebuild tooth enamel and halt the early stages of decay.

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Scientists have developed a new material that forms a gel capable of repairing and regenerating tooth enamel, paving the way for more effective and longer-lasting dental care.

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Many people brush their teeth right after eating, but that might not be doing your enamel any favours.

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They successfully extracted proteins from the enamel of four P. robustus teeth found at Swartkrans Cave, part of South Africa's Cradle of Humankind.

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Related Words

• coating 
• glaze 
• lacquer 
• stain 
• varnish