I. ˈje(ˌ)sō noun
( -es )
Etymology: Italian, literally, chalk, gypsum, plaster, from Latin gypsum — more at gypsum
1.
a. : plaster of paris or gypsum prepared with glue for use in painting or making bas-reliefs
b. : a paste prepared from mixing whiting with size or glue and spread upon a surface to fit it for painting or gilding
2. : a surface prepared by spreading gesso upon it
II. adjective
: having gesso as a coating or constituent part
some paintings are executed on gesso panels — Paul Ziff
a kidney-shaped chest of gesso work — New Yorker
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to apply gesso to
the article was to be gessoed all over — New York State University Bulletin