gesso

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun gypsum or plaster of Paris spread on a surface to make it suitable for painting or gilding (or a surface so prepared)

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian gesso. Doublet of gypsum. Compare Portuguese gesso (“gypsum; plaster, cast”) and Spanish yeso (“gypsum; plaster, cast”).

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