[gloss] n [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Icel glossa to glow; akin to OE geolu yellow] (1538) 1: a surface luster or brightness: shine
2. a: a deceptively attractive appearance "selfishness that had a ~ of humanitarianism about it" b: bright often superficial attractiveness "show-biz ~"
3: a transparent cosmetic preparation for adding shine and usu. color to the lips
[2]gloss vt (1656) 1 a: to mask the true nature of: give a deceptively attractive appearance to--used with over "the misery was general, where not ~ed over by liberal application of alcohol --Marston Bates" b: to deal with (a subject or problem) too lightly or not at all--used with over "~es over scholarly controversies rather than confronting them head-on --John Israel"
2: to give a gloss to [3]gloss n [alter. of gloze, fr. ME glose, fr. MF, fr. ML glosa, glossa, fr. Gk glossa, glotta tongue, language, obscure word; akin to Gk glochis projecting point] (1548) 1 a: a brief explanation (as in the margin or between the lines of a text) of a difficult or obscure word or expression b: a false and often willfully misleading interpretation (as of a text)
2. a: glossary b: an interlinear translation c: a continuous commentary accompanying a text
3: commentary, interpretation [4]gloss vt (1603) 1 a: to provide a gloss for: explain, define b: interpret
2: to dispose of by false or perverse interpretation "trying to ~ away the irrationalities of the universe --Irwin Edman"