enamel

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English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Pronunciation

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    • Audio (UK):(file)
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  • Rhymes: -æməl

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 Frankish *smalt, from Proto-Germanic *smeltaną (to melt, smelt). Compare German schmelzen, Danish smelte (to melt).

Noun

enamel (countable and uncountable, plural enamels)

  1. An opaque, glassy coating baked onto metal or ceramic objects.
  2. A coating that dries to a hard, glossy finish.
  3. The hard covering on the exposed part of a tooth.
  4. A cosmetic intended to give the appearance of a smooth and beautiful complexion.
Derived terms
Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

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)

  1. (transitive) To coat or decorate with enamel.
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  2. (transitive) To variegate with colours, as if with enamel.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. [], London: [] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker []; [a]nd by Robert Boulter []; [a]nd Matthias Walker, [], →OCLC:
      Oft he [the serpent] bowed / His turret crest and sleek enamelled neck.
  3. (transitive) To form a glossy surface like enamel upon.
    to enamel card paper; to enamel leather or cloth
  4. (transitive) To disguise with cosmetics, as a woman's complexion.
Derived terms
Translations

Anagrams