Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GLOSS, v.t.

1. To give a superficial luster to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth by the calender; to gloss mahogany.
2. To explain; to render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate.
3. To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious representation. You have the art to gloss the foulest cause. Philips.