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

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

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

Using an enameled skillet, Syd shows T.J. how to brown the meat along with the onions, then adds tomato paste, explaining that caramelizing it enriches the sauce.

Read more on Salon

"Caves contain lead, so they were all contaminated. Based on the tooth enamel studies, it started very early in infancy."

Read more on Science Daily

Upstairs, the exhibition highlights 19th-century innovations, including the introduction of colored porcelain in celadon, and enameled, painted and gilded pieces.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a modest-sized university lab in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, researchers are using a tiny drill to scrape away enamel from a 2,500-year-old tooth.

Read more on BBC

Their research revealed that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• coating 
• glaze 
• lacquer 
• stain 
• varnish