enamel
/ɪˈnam(ə)l
/noun [mass noun]
1An opaque or semi-transparent glossy substance that is a type of glass, applied by vitrification to metallic or other hard surfaces for ornament or as a protective coating: pieces of metalwork decorated with enamel [as modifier]: white enamel bowls [count noun]: a dagger inlaid with bone and enamels...
- Bright impervious surfaces in plaster, white paint, vitreous enamel, glass or stainless steel are not just cleanable but seen to be clean.
- Creamy appliance wax can be used on painted surfaces for protection and ease of cleaning, but is not needed on porcelain enamel surfaces.
- Ting has used a range of materials including English bone china, glass, enamel and platinum.
1.1 [count noun] A work of art executed in enamel: a collection of ceramics and enamels...
- Under his direction, wares in the style of the French renaissance Limoges enamels were executed.
- The plaque illustrated here may show the influence of Liomges enamels, demonstrating Rodin's interest in renaissance art.
- A panel painting might have a background of stamped, gilded gesso and enamels and precious stones in its frame.
2The hard glossy substance that covers the crown of a tooth.There are two parts to a tooth: the crown, which is covered by enamel and is the visible part of the tooth, and the root, which lies underneath the gums....
- The bacteria digest the carbohydrates in the food and produce acid, which dissolves the tooth's enamel and causes a cavity.
- Human teeth are made up of four different types of tissue: pulp, dentin, enamel, and cementum.
3 (also enamel paint) A paint that dries to give a smooth, hard coat: one coat of enamel and three coats of varnish [count noun]: a new super gloss enamel...
- Sand, prime, and paint the chair using two or more coats of semigloss latex enamel paint.
- Remove wallpaper and install tile, or paint walls with mold-resistant enamel paint.
- Evidence of her home-grown methods can be found in the alligatored texture of some of her pieces, where she may have layered enamel paint before the undercoat dried.
4 dated Nail varnish.Light pink nail enamel will make the hands even more charming....
- The cell suspension was put into it and the open edges were completely sealed with nail enamel.
- The colour selected for nail enamel should usually accord to the colour of your lipstick or attire.
verb (enamels, enamelling, enamelled; US enamels, enameling, enameled) [with object] (often as adjective enamelled)
Coat or decorate (a metallic or hard object) with enamel: an enamelled roasting tin...
- Mothers or older sisters will love the pretty enamelled jewellery from Les Nereides.
- Templar links to the local area have been found at the Old Church in Maghera where a bronze enamelled plaque was found in the graveyard.
- I make enamelled jewellery and run the shop from which it is sold.
Derivatives
enameller
- I'm one of a small group of full-time enamellers working in Ireland today.
- Since then I have worked with one of the best enamellers in the country, and have taken over the workshop where I began my career.
- However, often engravers’ and enamellers ' signatures do appear.
Origin
Late Middle English (originally as a verb; formerly also as inamel): from Anglo-Norman French enamailler, from en- 'in, on' + amail 'enamel', ultimately of Germanic origin.