enamel

[ ih-nam-uh l ]

/ ɪˈnæm əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enamel ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

enamelware.

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

any enamellike surface with a bright luster.

an artistic work executed in enamel.

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

verb (used with object), e·nam·eled, e·nam·el·ing or (especially British) e·nam·elled, e·nam·el·ling.

to inlay or overlay with enamel.

to form an enamellike surface upon: to enamel cardboard.

to decorate as with enamel; variegate with colors.

Nearby words

enactment, enactory, enalapril, enalapril maleate, enallage, enamel, enamel cap, enamel crypt, enamel dysplasia, enamel germ, enamel layer

Origin of enamel

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 smelt¹; cf. smalto

Related forms

e·nam·el·er; especially British, e·nam·el·ler, noune·nam·el·ist; especially British, e·nam·el·list, noune·nam·el·work, nounun·e·nam·eled, adjective

un·e·nam·elled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enameled

Enameled or agate ware which has begun to chip should be discarded.
American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick|Jane A. Delano
Enameled ware, which is roughened by a dilute solution of vinegar, is likely to contain substances injurious to health.
Mechanical Devices in the Home|Edith Louise Allen
In the lapel of his coat was an enameled button as further proof of his fellowship.
I Walked in Arden|Jack Crawford
Sinks are usually made of cast iron, painted, enameled, or galvanized.
The Home Medical Library, Volume V (of VI)|Various

Now spread them around on deep platters or enameled pans and cover with panes of window glass.
Good Things to Eat as Suggested by Rufus|Rufus Estes

British Dictionary definitions for enameled

enamel

/ (ɪˈnæməl) /

noun

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

an article or articles ornamented with enamel

an enamel-like paint or varnish

any smooth glossy coating resembling enamel

another word for nail polish

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

(modifier)

decorated or covered with enamelan enamel ring
made with enamelenamel paste

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled (tr)

to inlay, coat, or otherwise decorate with enamel

to ornament with glossy variegated colours, as if with enamel

to portray in enamel

Derived Formsenameller, enamellist, US enameler or enamelist, nounenamelwork, noun

Word Origin for enamel

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for enameled

enamel

[ ĭ-năm′əl ]

n.

The hard, calcareous substance covering the exposed portion of a tooth.

Science definitions for enameled

enamel

[ ĭ-năm′əl ]

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.

Culture definitions for enameled

enamel

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

enamel

noun

verb (used with object), e·nam·eled, e·nam·el·ing or (especially British) e·nam·elled, e·nam·el·ling.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of enamel

Examples from the Web for enameled

British Dictionary definitions for enameled

enamel

noun

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled (tr)

Word Origin for enamel

Medicine definitions for enameled

enamel

n.

Science definitions for enameled

enamel

Culture definitions for enameled

enamel