French polish
noun
a furniture finish, consisting of shellac dissolved in spirits.
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French polish
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French-polish
French-polishverb (used with object)to finish or treat (a piece of furniture) with French polish.
French polish
1 Americannoun
French-polish
2
American
[french-pol-ish]
/ ˈfrɛntʃˈpɒl ɪʃ /
verb (used with object)
French polish
1
British
noun
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a varnish for wood consisting of shellac dissolved in alcohol
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the gloss finish produced by repeated applications of this polish
French-polish
2
British
verb
Etymology
Origin of French polish1
First recorded in 1810–20
Origin of French-polish2
First recorded in 1830–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Dr. Walter Damrosch started the idea, after running a wartime school in which U. S. bandmasters took a high French polish.
From Time Magazine Archive
It's not French polish, but I've never seen varnish as good as this.
From The Intriguers by Harold Bindloss
If I only hadn't used that abominable French polish this morning.
From A Voyage of Consolation (being in the nature of a sequel to the experiences of 'An American girl in London') by Sara Jeannette Duncan
Have beside you linseed-oil in one receptacle, and some French polish in another.
From French Polishing and Enamelling A Practical Work of Instruction by Richard Bitmead
“Or a bottle of French polish, I should think,” casually suggests Henderson, who, en passant, has heard the last remark.
From St. Winifred's, or The World of School by H. C. (Harold C.) Earnshaw
The bell-lamp in the passage looked as clear as a soap-bubble; you could see yourself in all the tables, and French-polish yourself on any one of the chairs.
From Sketches by Boz, illustrative of everyday life and every-day people by Charles Dickens
None of your new, cheap, thinly-veneered, blown-together rubbish, smelling of shavings and French-polish.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 100, February 21, 1891 by Various
What inventions of French-polish that refused all persuasions to dry, but continued to stick to and paint everything it came in contact with!
From Confessions Of Con Cregan An Irish Gil Blas by Charles James Lever
Villa at Barnsbury, permeated by strong smell of French-polish and fusty straw.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, November 29, 1890 by Various
He agreed to take the old horse, the week before the races, and give him a last bit of French-polish if we'd keep him in steady work till then.
From Robbery under Arms; a story of life and adventure in the bush and in the Australian goldfields by Rolf Boldrewood
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