vidre

Vidre is the Catalan noun for glass, the transparent, inorganic material used for windows, bottles, cookware, and decorative objects. The term covers both the material itself and objects made from glass. In everyday Catalan, vidre appears in various contexts related to manufacturing, goods, and design. The standard pronunciation is roughly similar to "VEED-reh" in IPA-ish notation.

Etymology and language context: Vidre derives from Latin vitrum and is cognate with related Romance terms such as Spanish vidrio and French verre. The Catalan form reflects typical phonological developments from vitrum, and its usage has persisted in modern Catalan to denote both the substance and its products.

Manufacture, types, and properties: Glass is produced by melting silica with additives, then forming and cooling to a rigid, often transparent solid. Soda–lime glass is the common household type, while specialty glasses are used for containers, solar and optical applications, and other technical uses. Glass can be tempered, laminated, or chemically treated to improve strength and safety. Recycling of glass is widespread as a way to conserve energy and raw materials.

Cultural and regional context: In Catalan-speaking regions, glass has played a long-standing role in architecture, art, and industry, ranging from traditional crafts to contemporary manufacturing. The word vidre thus anchors both everyday language and the broader material culture surrounding glass in these communities.

See also: Glassmaking, Catalan language.