explanation, account - a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"

wordbook - a reference book containing words (usually with their meanings)

smoothness - a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch

radiancy, refulgence, refulgency, shine, effulgence, radiance - the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light

French polish - the glaze produced by repeated applications of French polish shellac

glaze - a glossy finish on a fabric

appearance, visual aspect - outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

color of law, colour of law - a mere semblance of legal right; something done with the apparent authority of law but actually in contravention of law; "the plaintiff claimed that under color of law the officer had deprived him of his civil rights"

simulacrum - an insubstantial or vague semblance

face value - the apparent worth as opposed to the real worth

guise, pretence, pretext, pretense - an artful or simulated semblance; "under the guise of friendship he betrayed them"

camouflage, disguise - an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something; "the theatrical notion of disguise is always associated with catastrophe in his stories"

verisimilitude - the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true

polish, smooth, smoothen, shine - (of surfaces) make shine; "shine the silver, please"; "polish my shoes"

hush up, sleek over, whitewash, gloss over - cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error; "Let's not whitewash the crimes of Stalin"; "She tried to gloss over her mistakes"

gloss over, skate over, skimp over, slur over, smooth over - treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly

interpret - give an interpretation or explanation to

translate, interpret, render - restate (words) from one language into another language; "I have to translate when my in-laws from Austria visit the U.S."; "Can you interpret the speech of the visiting dignitaries?"; "She rendered the French poem into English"; "He translates for the U.N."

apologise, rationalize, apologize, rationalise, justify, excuse - defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"