varnish
[vahr-nish]
- a preparation consisting of resinous matter, as copal or lac, dissolved in an oil (oil varnish) or in alcohol (spirit varnish) or other volatile liquid. When applied to the surface of wood, metal, etc., it dries and leaves a hard, more or less glossy, usually transparent coating.
- the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish).
- any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.
- a coating or surface of varnish.
- something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.
- superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy: The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.
- British. nail polish.
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- to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.
- to give a glossy appearance to.
- to give an improved appearance to; adorn.
- to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive: to varnish the truth.
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Origin of varnish
1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica
Synonyms
See more synonyms for varnish on Thesaurus.com11. gild, disguise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for varnish
Historical Examples
He drew a match along the arm of the chair where the varnish was worn off.
Chip, of the Flying UB. M. Bower
After they are well buttered, varnish them all over with a feather, dipped in the yolk of an egg stirred up with a little beer.
For pales and weather boards this varnish is superior to paint, and much cheaper than what is commonly used for that purpose.
This varnish will set, or keep its place on the silk in four hours, the silk may then be turned and varnished on the other side.
Nice, slick-lookin' craft she was, too, all varnish and gilt gorgeousness.
The Depot MasterJoseph C. Lincoln
varnish
- Also called: oil varnish a preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc, for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating
- a similar preparation consisting of a substance, such as shellac or cellulose ester, dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as alcohol. It hardens to a film on evaporation of the solventSee also spirit varnish
- Also called: natural varnish the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating
- a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish
- an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer
- mainly British another word for nail polish
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- to cover with varnish
- to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish
- to impart a more attractive appearance to
- to make superficially attractive
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French vernis, from Medieval Latin veronix sandarac, resin, from Medieval Greek berenikē, perhaps from Greek Berenikē, city in Cyrenaica, Libya where varnishes were used
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for varnish
n.
mid-14c., from Old French vernis "varnish" (12c.), from Medieval Latin vernix "odorous resin," perhaps from Late Greek verenike, from Greek Berenike, name of an ancient city in Libya (modern Bengasi) credited with the first use of varnishes. The town is named for Berenike II, queen of Egypt (see Berenice). Figurative sense of "specious gloss, pretense," is recorded from 1560s.
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v.
late 14c.; see varnish (n.). Related: Varnished; varnishing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper