What is meant by gloss?

Gloss is meant to describe either a physical shine or an explanatory addition, depending on context, but both senses involve a surface layer that makes something appear brighter or clearer. In everyday usage, gloss means shine, luster, or the degree of light reflection from a surface. For example, paint is categorized by gloss level from flat with no shine to high-gloss with mirror-like shine. Lip gloss is meant to make lips look wet and shiny. Glossy magazines have shiny coated paper. In academic and literary usage, gloss is meant to be a brief explanation, definition, or translation of a difficult or obscure word or passage, written in the margin or between lines to help the reader understand. A glossary is a list of such explanations. As a verb, to gloss means to explain, while to gloss over means to hide or minimize a fault by giving it a superficial explanation. In law, gloss is meant to be an interpretation that has been layered onto a statute through historical practice. So whether physical or intellectual, gloss means an added layer that enhances appearance or understanding, sometimes genuinely and sometimes superficially to conceal flaws.