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Origin of polish

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English polishen, from Middle French poliss-, long stem of polir, from Latin polīre “to polish”; see -ish2

synonym study for polish

8. Polish, gloss, luster, sheen refer to a smooth, shining, or bright surface from which light is reflected. Polish suggests the smooth, bright reflection often produced by friction: rubbed to a high polish. Gloss suggests a superficial, hard smoothness characteristic of lacquered, varnished, or enameled surfaces: a gloss on oilcloth, on paper. Luster denotes the characteristic quality of the light reflected from the surfaces of certain materials (pearls, silk, wax, freshly cut metals, etc.): a pearly luster. Sheen, sometimes poetical, suggests a glistening brightness such as that reflected from the surface of silk or velvet, or from furniture oiled and hand-polished: a rich velvety sheen.

OTHER WORDS FROM polish

Other definitions for polish (2 of 2)

Polish
[ poh-lish ]
/ ˈpoʊ lɪʃ /

adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, its inhabitants, or their language.
noun
a Slavic language, the principal language of Poland. Abbreviation: Pol

Origin of Polish

First recorded in 1695–1705; Pole + -ish1

OTHER WORDS FROM Polish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use polish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polish (1 of 2)

polish
/ (ˈpɒlɪʃ) /

verb
to make or become smooth and shiny by rubbing, esp with wax or an abrasive
(tr) to make perfect or complete
to make or become elegant or refined
noun

Derived forms of polish

polishable, adjectivepolisher, noun

Word Origin for polish

C13 polis, from Old French polir, from Latin polīre to polish

British Dictionary definitions for polish (2 of 2)

Polish
/ (ˈpəʊlɪʃ) /

adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, its people, or their language
noun
the official language of Poland, belonging to the West Slavonic branch of the Indo-European family
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with polish

polish

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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