glass
UK[ɡlɑːs]US[ɡlæs]
n
A hard, brittle, typically transparent or translucent substance, made by fusing sand with soda and lime.
n
A drinking container made of glass.
n
A lens or optical instrument, especially one correcting vision.
Etymology
The word 'glass' originates from the Old English 'glæs', which is related to the Old High German 'glas'. These Germanic terms likely derive from a Proto-Germanic root 'glasą', referring to the substance amber or glass. The ultimate origin may be from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to shine, glow', capturing the lustrous quality of the material. This etymological journey reflects the material's defining characteristic—its translucence and shine—from its ancient discovery to its modern, ubiquitous applications.
Analysis
The word 'glass' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern English spelling.
Examples
The window was made of reinforced safety glass.
She filled a glass with cold water from the pitcher.
He polished his glasses carefully before putting them on.