burnish

American  

[bur-nish] / ˈbɜr nɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to polish (a surface) by friction.

   Synonyms:

   shine, buff

2. to make smooth and bright.

3. Engraving. to flatten and enlarge the dots of (a halftone) by rubbing with a tool.

---

noun

1. gloss; brightness; luster.

   the burnish of brass andirons.

burnish British  

/ ˈbɜːnɪʃ /

verb

1. to make or become shiny or smooth by friction; polish

---

noun

1. a shiny finish; lustre

Other Word Forms

• burnishable adjective
• burnisher noun
• burnishment noun
• unburnished adjective

Etymology

Origin of burnish

1275–1325; Middle English burnissh < Anglo-French burniss-, Middle French bruniss- (long stem of burnir, brunir to darken, polish), equivalent to brun- brown + -iss- -ish ²

Example Sentences

But by not insisting on cabinet positions in return for their votes in parliament, the People's Party allowed Anutin to fill his cabinet with capable technocrats, burnishing his credentials as a can-do leader.

From BBC

In the low light of the lamp its burnished scales shone like polished copper.

From Literature

Set the stage and more often than not the England legend will take his opportunity to further burnish a record that marks him out as one of the greats of the modern game.

From BBC

A vote with the majority to hold might burnish his credentials as an independent voice but cost him the job.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was still grimy, but MacArthur Park’s famed beauty was there, a beauty unmatched by newer parks — if only Hernandez and others could burnish it.

From Los Angeles Times