English Explanatory Dictionary

enamel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  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.
verb
  1. To coat or decorate with enamel.
  2. To variegate with colours, as if with enamel.
  3. To form a glossy surface like enamel upon.
  4. To disguise with cosmetics, as a woman's complexion.

Pronunciation

/ɪˈnæməl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-enamel.wav

Word forms

enamel enamels enameling enamelling enameled enamelled

Etymology

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”).

Derived words

cementoenamel cervical enamel cervicoenamel counterenamel dentinoenamel enameler enamelin enamelist enameller enamelless enameloma enameloplasty enamel paper enamelware enamelwork enamelworker enamelworks nail enamel paper enamel porcelain enamel stove enamel tooth enamel vitreous enamel
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