French polish

¹

noun

1. a furniture finish, consisting of shellac dissolved in spirits.

French-polish

²

[ french-pol-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to finish or treat (a piece of furniture) with French polish.

French polish

¹

noun

1. a varnish for wood consisting of shellac dissolved in alcohol
2. the gloss finish produced by repeated applications of this polish

French-polish

²

verb

1. to treat with French polish or give a French polish (to)

Word History and Origins

Origin of French polish¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Origin of French polish²

First recorded in 1830–40