gloss
    n 1: an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
         [syn: gloss, rubric]
    2: an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized
       field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a
       text on that field [syn: glossary, gloss]
    3: the property of being smooth and shiny [syn: polish,
       gloss, glossiness, burnish]
    4: an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately
       misleading; "he hoped his claims would have a semblance of
       authenticity"; "he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of
       moral sanction"; "the situation soon took on a different
       color" [syn: semblance, gloss, color, colour]
    v 1: give a shine or gloss to, usually by rubbing
    2: provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases; "He
       annotated on what his teacher had written" [syn: gloss,
       comment, annotate]
    3: provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
    4: give a deceptive explanation or excuse for; "color a lie"
       [syn: color, colour, gloss]

Gloss \Gloss\ (gl[o^]s), n. [Cf. Icel. glossi a blaze, glys
   finery, MHG. glosen to glow, G. glosten to glimmer; perh.
   akin to E. glass.]
   1. Brightness or luster of a body proceeding from a smooth
      surface; polish; as, the gloss of silk; cloth is
      calendered to give it a gloss.
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            It is no part . . . to set on the face of this cause
            any fairer gloss than the naked truth doth afford.
                                                  --Hooker.
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   2. A specious appearance; superficial quality or show.
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            To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
            One native charm than all the gloss of art.
                                                  --Goldsmith.
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Gloss \Gloss\ (gl[o^]s), v. t.
   1. To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to
      explain; to annotate.
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   2. To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and
      plausible; to palliate by specious explanation.
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            You have the art to gloss the foulest cause.
                                                  --Philips.
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Gloss \Gloss\, v. i.
   1. To make comments; to comment; to explain. --Dryden.
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   2. To make sly remarks, or insinuations. --Prior.
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Gloss \Gloss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Glossed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Glossing.]
   To give a superficial luster or gloss to; to make smooth and
   shining; as, to gloss cloth.
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         The glossed and gleamy wave.             --J. R. Drake.
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Gloss \Gloss\, n. [OE. glose, F. glose, L. glossa a difficult
   word needing explanation, fr. Gr. ? tongue, language, word
   needing explanation. Cf. Gloze, Glossary, Glottis.]
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   1. A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word
      requiring explanation. [Obs.]
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   2. An interpretation, consisting of one or more words,
      interlinear or marginal; an explanatory note or comment; a
      running commentary.
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            All this, without a gloss or comment,
            He would unriddle in a moment.        --Hudibras.
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            Explaining the text in short glosses. --T. Baker.
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   3. A false or specious explanation. --Dryden.
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GLOSS. Interpretation, comment, explanation, or remark, intended to 
illustrate the text of an author.