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enamel. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
enamel, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
enamel in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
enamel you have here. The definition of the word
enamel will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
enamel, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English enamel, from Anglo-Norman enamailler, from en- (“in-”) + amailler (“to enamel”), variant of Old French esmailler (“to enamel”), from esmal (“enamel”), from Early Medieval Latin smaltum, from Frankish *smalt, from Proto-Germanic *smeltaną (“to melt, smelt”).
Noun
enamel (countable and uncountable, plural enamels)
- An opaque, glassy coating baked onto metal or ceramic objects.
- A coating that dries to a hard, glossy finish.
- The hard covering on the exposed part of a tooth.
- A cosmetic intended to give the appearance of a smooth and beautiful complexion.
Derived terms
Translations
coating that dries to a hard, glossy finish
Translations to be checked
Etymology 2
From Middle English enamelen, from the noun (see above).
Verb
enamel (third-person singular simple present enamels, present participle (US) enameling or (UK) enamelling, simple past and past participle (US) enameled or (UK) enamelled)
- (transitive) To coat or decorate with enamel.
c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part , 2nd edition, part 1, London: Richard Iones, , published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:Their plumed helmes are wrought with beaten golde,
Their ſwords enameld, and about their neckes
Hangs maſſie chaines of golde downe to the waſte,
In euery part exceding braue and rich.
- (transitive) To variegate with colours, as if with enamel.
1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. , London: [Samuel Simmons], , →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: , London: Basil Montagu Pickering , 1873, →OCLC:Oft he [the serpent] bowed / His turret crest and sleek enamelled neck.
- (transitive) To form a glossy surface like enamel upon.
to enamel card paper; to enamel leather or cloth
- (transitive) To disguise with cosmetics, as a woman's complexion.
Translations
References
Anagrams