gloss etymology

Etymology:

  • From Middle English "glose," from Old French "glose," from Medieval Latin "glossa," from Late Latin "glōssa," from Greek "glōssa" (tongue, language), from Proto-Indo-European "*gleh₂-" (to make a noise)

Meaning:

  • A short explanation or annotation of a word or passage in a text.
  • A commentary or interpretation.
  • A foreign word or phrase, or a translation of such.
  • A variant reading of a text.
  • A superficial or deceptive account of something.

Origin:

The word "gloss" originally referred to the tongue and its role in speech. In the 3rd century BC, it was used in Greek to mean a foreign word or phrase that is borrowed into a language and used without change. This sense of the word later came to be extended to include explanations or annotations of words and passages in texts.

By the Middle Ages, "gloss" was being used in Latin to refer to a short explanatory note or comment written in the margins or between the lines of a text. This usage eventually spread to English, where it has continued to be used in the same sense.

gloss relate terms

  • glow

    Etymology The word glow comes from the Middle English word glowe which in turn is d

  • bugloss

    Etymology The word bugloss derives from the Greek words bous ὀξύς and glossa

  • gloss

    Etymology From Middle English glose from Old French glose from Medieval Latin gl

  • polyglot

    Etymology Greek poly many glossa language Meaning A person who speaks a

  • color

    Color Etymology Color Etymology Origin Black Old English blæc

  • comment

    Etymology Origin Old French comment from Latin quomodo meaning in what way or

  • luster

    Etymology Middle English lustre from Old French lustre from Latin lūstrum wash pu

  • varnish

    Etymology The word varnish originates from the Old French word verniz which in turn

  • nixie

    Etymology The word nixie originates from the German word Nix which means water spi

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • semblance

    Etymology Middle English semblaunce from Anglo Norman French semblance from Old Fren

  • radiance

    Etymology Latin radiare to emit rays From the Proto Indo European root reh₁d

  • render

    Etymology Old French rendre Late Latin reddere Proto Indo European red Meaning