Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Apr 18, 2012
This week's theme
Words that have meanings in multiple parts of speech

This week's words
paragon
countenance
gloze
tarry
bluff

Caught in spam?
Whitelist us to ensure uninterrupted delivery of A.Word.A.Day.
Here's how to do it
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

gloze

PRONUNCIATION:
(glohz)

MEANING:
verb tr.:
    To minimize or to explain away.
verb intr.:
    1. To use flattery.
    2. To make an explanation.
    3. To shine brightly.
noun:
    1. A comment.
    2. Flattery.
    3. A pretense.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Old French gloser (to explain), from Latin glossa (explanation of a difficult word), from Greek glossa (word needing explanation, language). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ghel- (to shine), which is also the source of words such as yellow, gold, glimmer, glimpse, glass, arsenic, melancholy, and cholera. Earliest documented use: around 1290.

USAGE:
"When Anthony Blunt was exposed 20 years ago, there were some who tried to gloze his conduct."
Geoffrey Wheatcroft; Her Russia Right or Wrong; The Spectator (London, UK); Sep 18, 1999.

"From the pyramid's apex 42.3 billion candlepower's worth of white light shines, glozes, fulgurates, burns."
Josh Axelrad; Repeat Until Rich: A Professional Card Counter's Chronicle of the of the Blackjack Wars; Penguin; 2010.

See more usage examples of gloze in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith