vitreous

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparabletechnical

   Hard, smooth, and shiny like glass, especially describing a mineral's surface or a solid material.

   Grammar: Used mainly before a noun or after a linking verb: a vitreous surface; the rock is vitreous.

   Patterns

   • vitreous surface
   • vitreous luster
   • vitreous rock

   Geologists describe obsidian as having a vitreous luster because it cools so quickly.

   The polished stone had a vitreous sheen that reflected the light.

   Under the microscope, the mineral showed a vitreous appearance rather than a dull one.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnicalmedical

   Relating to the clear jelly-like substance that fills the inside of the eye behind the lens.

   Grammar: In anatomy this sense almost always comes before a noun, as in vitreous humor or vitreous body.

   Patterns

   • vitreous humor
   • vitreous body
   • vitreous detachment

   The vitreous humor helps keep the shape of the eyeball.

   As people age, the vitreous gel can shrink and pull away from the retina.

   The surgeon removed part of the vitreous fluid during the operation.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nountechnicalspecialist

   Made of or containing glass, or produced by heating materials until they form a glassy substance.

   Grammar: A technical attributive use; it appears before nouns such as enamel or ceramic.

   Patterns

   • vitreous enamel
   • vitreous china
   • vitreous material

   The bathtub is coated with vitreous enamel for durability.

   Vitreous china is commonly used for sinks and toilets.

   Workers fired the clay until it became a vitreous solid.

Common combinations

vitreous luster

The geologist noted the vitreous luster of the fresh rock face.

vitreous humor

Light passes through the vitreous humor before reaching the retina.

vitreous enamel

The old sign was made of vitreous enamel and still looked bright.

vitreous china

Most bathroom sinks are made from vitreous china.

vitreous detachment

Flashes of light can be a sign of vitreous detachment.

Synonyms and how they differ

glassy

More everyday and often describes a look or surface; use glassy for eyes or water, and vitreous in scientific or medical writing.

glazed

Suggests a coating added to a surface, while vitreous can mean the whole material is glass-like.

translucent

Describes letting light through but not seeing clearly; vitreous stresses hardness and glass-like character, not just light.

Opposites

Word family

vitrify verb

To change into glass or a glassy substance by heating.

vitrification noun

The process of becoming glass-like, often used in waste or ceramics contexts.

vitreousness noun

The quality of being glass-like in appearance or texture.

Commonly confused: vitreous or virtuous? vitreous or vitreous humor?

Practice

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