- glass
- glass O.E. glæs "glass, a glass vessel," from W.Gmc. *glasam (Cf. O.S. glas, M.Du., Du. glas, Ger. Glas, O.N. gler "glass, looking glass," Dan. glar), from PIE *ghel- "to shine, glitter" (Cf. L. glaber "smooth, bald," O.C.S. gladuku, Lith. glodus "smooth"), with derivatives referring to colors and bright materials, a word that is the root of widespread words for gray, blue, green, and yellow (Cf. O.E. glær "amber," L. glaesum "amber," O.Ir. glass "green, blue, gray," Welsh glas "blue;" see CHLOE (Cf. Chloe)). Sense of "drinking glass" is early 13c.As a verb, late 14c., "to fit with glass;" 1570s, "to cover with glass." The glass slipper in "Cinderella" is perhaps an error by Charles Perrault, translating in 1697, mistaking O.Fr. voir "ermine, fur" for verre "glass." In other versions of the tale it is a fur slipper. Glass ceiling first recorded 1990. The proverb about people in glass houses throwing stones is attested by 1779, but earlier forms go back to 17c.:Who hath glass-windows of his own must take heed how he throws stones at his house. ... He that hath a body made of glass must not throw stones at another. [John Ray, "Handbook of Proverbs," 1670]
Etymology dictionary. 2014.