enamel

ENAM'EL, noun 1. In mineralogy, a substance imperfectly vitrified, or matter in which the granular appearance is destroyed, and having a vitreous gloss. In the arts, a substance of the nature of glass, differing from it by a greater degree of fusibility or opacity. Enamels have for their basis a pure crystal glass or frit, ground with a fine oxyd of lead and tin. These baked together are the matter of enamels, and the color is varied by adding other substances, Oxyd of gold gives a red color; that of copper, a green; manganese, a violet; cobalt, a blue; and iron, a fine black. 2. That which is enameled; a smooth, glossy surface of various colors, resembling enamel 3. In anatomy, the smooth hard substance which covers the crown of a tooth. ENAM'EL, verb transitive To lay enamel on a metal, as on gold, silver, copper, etc. 1. To paint in enamel 2. To form a glossy surface like enamel