Glossate

/ˈɡlɒseɪt/ verb

Definition

To provide with glosses; to write explanatory notes or annotations for a text.

Etymology

From Latin glossa plus the -ate suffix, creating a verb meaning 'to apply glosses to' or 'to annotate,' with roots in Greek glōssa.

Kelly Says

When a medieval scholar would glossate a biblical text, they weren't changing it—they were surrounding it with layers of explanation, building understanding without rewriting.

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