enamel

English

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɪˈnæməl/
  • 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 *smaltijaną (“to 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.
Translations
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Translations to be checked

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.
  2. (transitive) To variegate with colours, as if with enamel.
    • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton
      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
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