gloss (noun)
1: an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text [syn: 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]
3: the property of being smooth and shiny [syn: polish, 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, color, colour]
gloss
(verb)
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: comment, annotate]
3: provide an interlinear translation of a word or phrase
4: gloss or excuse; "color a lie" [syn: color, colour]