Varnish

Origin

Via Middle English from

Old French vernis, from Medieval Latin veronix, from Βερενίκη, Berenice, a town in Cyrenaica.

Full definition of varnish

Noun

1. A type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to leave a hard, transparent, glossy film.
2. Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.
• Macaulaythe varnish of the holly and ivy
3. (by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.
• ShakespeareAnd set a double varnish on the fame
  The Frenchman gave you.

Related terms

• nail varnish
• varnish tree

Verb

1. (intransitive) To apply varnish.
2. (transitive) To cover up with varnish.
3. (transitive) To gloss over a defect.

Anagrams

• hrivnas