glaze
UK[ɡleɪz]US[ɡleɪz]
v
To fit or cover with glass.
v
To give a smooth, shiny coating to food or pottery.
n
A smooth, shiny coating applied to food, pottery, or other surfaces.
Etymology
The word 'glaze' originates from the Middle English verb 'glasen', meaning 'to fit with glass'. This, in turn, is derived from 'glas', the Old English word for 'glass'. The ultimate source is the West Germanic 'glasam', likely related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to shine' or 'to glow', reflecting the material's inherent translucence and lustre. The semantic evolution moved from the literal act of installing glass in a window to the more general application of any vitreous, glossy substance, capturing the shared property of creating a smooth, shiny, and often transparent surface.
Analysis
The word 'glaze' is a simplex word derived from Middle English 'glasen'. Its core morpheme is 'glas', directly related to the substance 'glass'.
Examples
The potter will glaze the vase before its final firing.
A simple sugar glaze can enhance the appearance of a cake.
His eyes began to glaze over from boredom during the lengthy lecture.