Gloss | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Glōss, n.

noun

n. [Cf. Ger. gleissen, to shine, glitter, glanz, luster, gloss; Lat. glossa, Gr. γλῶσσα, an obsolete or foreign word that requires explanation, Fr. glose, Pr. glosa, Sp. & It. glossa, Pg. glossae. See GLOZE.]

Sense 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.

Sense 2. A specious appearance or representation; external show that may mislead opinion.

It is no part of my secret meaning to set on the face of this cause any fairer gloss than the naked truth doth afford. Hooker.

Sense 3. An interpretation artfully specious. Sidney.

Sense 4. Remark intended to illustrate a subject; interpretation; comment; explanation.

All this, without a gloss or comment, He would unriddle in a moment. Hudibras.

Explaining the text in short glosses. Baker.

Glōss, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. GLOSSED (glōst); p. pr. & vb. n. GLOSSING.] 1. To give a superficial luster to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth or mahogany. “The glossed and gleamy wave.” Drake. 2. To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious representation. You have the art to gloss the foulest cause. Philips. 3. To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to explain.

Glōss, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To comment; to write or make explanatory remarks. Dryden. 2. To make sly remarks, or insinuations. Prior.