glaze
What does "glaze" mean?
To glaze is to apply a thin, shiny, and often smooth coating to a surface. The mental image is of dipping a ceramic pot into a liquid that turns into a glassy, protective shell after firing, or brushing a sweet, translucent layer over a pastry to make it glisten and seal in moisture. In usage, this term is most common in culinary arts and pottery. It implies both a functional purpose (sealing, preserving) and an aesthetic one (adding shine or color). You will frequently hear it used as a noun to describe the substance itself, such as a "chocolate glaze" or "ceramic glaze."
"glaze" in conversation
Baking at home
Should I add the lemon glaze now or wait for the cake to cool?
Should I add the lemon glaze now or wait for the cake to cool?
Wait until it's completely cold, otherwise the glaze will just melt right off.
Wait until it's completely cold, otherwise the glaze will just melt right off.
Explains the functional purpose of glaze in baking.
Art studio
Make sure you don't apply the glaze too thickly on the edges.
Make sure you don't apply the glaze too thickly on the edges.
Got it, I'll use a thinner layer so it doesn't drip in the kiln.
Got it, I'll use a thinner layer so it doesn't drip in the kiln.
Highlights the technical precision required in pottery.
"glaze" in a sentence
The baker brushed a sweet glaze over the fresh donuts.
The baker brushed a sweet glaze over the fresh donuts.
You need to apply an even glaze to the pottery before placing it in the kiln.
You need to apply an even glaze to the pottery before placing it in the kiln.
The artist chose a crackle glaze to give the vase an antique, weathered appearance.
The artist chose a crackle glaze to give the vase an antique, weathered appearance.
