gloss2
- an explanation or translation, by means of a marginal or interlinear note, of a technical or unusual expression in a manuscript text.
- a series of verbal interpretations of a text.
- a glossary.
- an artfully misleading interpretation.
- to insert glosses on; annotate.
- to place (a word) in a gloss.
- to give a specious interpretation of; explain away (often followed by over or away): to gloss over a serious problem with a pat solution.
- to make glosses.
Origin of gloss2
Synonyms
See more synonyms for gloss on Thesaurus.comgloss over
- to hide under a deceptively attractive surface or appearance
- to deal with (unpleasant facts) rapidly and cursorily, or to omit them altogether from an account of something
gloss1
- lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface
- (as modifier)gloss paint
- a superficially attractive appearance
- See gloss paint
- a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheenlip gloss
- to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss
Word Origin
gloss2
- a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc
- an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation
- short for glossary
- to add glosses to
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for gloss over
gloss
v.
1570s as "insert a word as an explanation," from gloss (n.2). From 1650s as "to add luster," from gloss (n.1). Figurative sense of "smooth over, hide" is from 1729, mostly from gloss (n.1) but showing influence of gloss (n.2) in the extended verbal sense of "explain away" (1630s), from idea of a note inserted in the margin of a text to explain a difficult word. Related: Glossed; glossing.
gloss
n.1
"luster," 1530s, from Scandinavian (cf. Icelandic glossi "flame," related to glossa "to flame"), or obsolete Dutch gloos "a glowing," from Middle High German glos; probably ultimately from the same source as Old English glowan (see glow (v.)).
gloss
n.2
"word inserted as an explanation," 1540s (earlier gloze, c.1300), from Latin glossa "obsolete or foreign word," one that requires explanation; hence also "explanation, note," from Greek glossa (Ionic), glotta (Attic) "obscure word, language," also "mouthpiece," literally "tongue," from PIE *glogh- "thorn, point, that which is projected" (cf. Old Church Slavonic glogu "thorn"). Figurative use from 1540s. Both glossology (1716) and glottology (1841) have been used in the sense "science of language."
Idioms and Phrases with gloss over
gloss over
Make attractive or acceptable by deception or superficial treatment. For example, His resumé glossed over his lack of experience, or She tried to gloss over the mistake by insisting it would make no difference. [Mid-1600s]