Glaze
/ɡleɪz/noun
A smooth, shiny coating or finish applied to a surface; also, to cover with a glossy layer.
Did you know?Glaze is from Old English and related to a Germanic root meaning “to shine” or “to be bright,” the same ancient family behind words for glowing and gleaming surfaces.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*glas-
“to shine, gleam, or be bright”
Old English
OE
glæs
“brightness, shine; also a glossy surface”
Middle English
ME
glasen
“to cover with a glossy coating; to make shiny”
14th Century
English
glase
“to apply a smooth, shiny coating, especially to pottery or food”
Modern English
English
glaze
“to coat or finish with a glossy layer; a shiny surface coating”