glair
Americannoun
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the white of an egg.
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a glaze or size made of egg white.
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any viscous substance like egg white.
verb (used with object)
noun
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white of egg, esp when used as a size, glaze, or adhesive, usually in bookbinding
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any substance resembling this
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of glair
1300–50; Middle English glaire < Old French: white of an egg < Vulgar Latin *clāria; compare Latin clārus clear
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bookbinders use some composition made of glair, or white of egg, which produces a very glossy appearance.
From Notes and Queries, Number 235, April 29, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various
To make the gold stick to the surface, glair or white of egg is used in all cases.
From Practical Bookbinding by Adam, Paul
The line to be gilded is clearly marked with a sharp folder, picked out with glair, and the gold, which is taken up on the roll, is printed in.
From Practical Bookbinding by Adam, Paul
If a larger quantity of glair is required for coating over, it may be thinned with water or vinegar; but size made with vinegar must not be applied to fancy coloured cloths.
From Practical Bookbinding by Adam, Paul
To drain off the superfluous glair the press is placed so that the glair runs off on the long side; the gold is in consequence better taken up in the round.
From Practical Bookbinding by Adam, Paul
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
