Gloss /(glŏs)/

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.

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

2. A specious appearance; superficial quality or show.

   To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art.

imp. & p. p. Glossed; p. pr. & vb. n. Glossing

1. To give a superficial luster or gloss to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth.

   The glossed and gleamy wave.

1. A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word requiring explanation. [Obs.]
2. An interpretation, consisting of one or more words, interlinear or marginal; an explanatory note or comment; a running commentary.

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

   Explaining the text in short glosses.

3. A false or specious explanation.

1. To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to explain; to annotate.
2. To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious explanation.

   You have the art to gloss the foulest cause.

1. To make comments; to comment; to explain.
2. To make sly remarks, or insinuations.