Veneer

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /vəˈniÉ™(ɹ)/
• US IPA: vɨˈniə̆ɹ
• Rhymes: -ɪə(r)

Origin

From German Furnier, from furnieren ("to inlay, cover with a veneer"), from French fournir ("to furnish, accomplish"), from Middle French fornir, from Old French fornir, furnir ("to furnish"), from Old Frankish *frumjan ("to provide"), from Proto-Germanic *frumjanÄ… ("to further, promote"). Cognate with Old High German frumjan, frummen ("to accomplish, execute, provide"), Old English fremian ("to promote, perform"). More at furnish.

Full definition of veneer

Noun

1. A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to coarser wood or other material.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, A very neat old woman, still in her good outdoor coat and best beehive hat, was sitting at a polished mahogany table on whose surface there were several scored scratches so deep that a triangular piece of the veneer had come cleanly away, ….
2. An attractive appearance that covers or disguises true nature or feelings.

Derived terms

• brick veneer

Verb

1. (woodworking) To apply veneer.to veneer a piece of furniture with mahogany
2. (figurative) To disguise with apparent goodness.
• TennysonAs a rogue in grain
  Veneered with sanctimonious theory.

Anagrams

• evener