Nearby Words
noun
1.
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.
2.
the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish).
3.
any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.
4.
a coating or surface of varnish.
5.
EXPANDsomething resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.
6.
superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy: The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.
7.
COLLAPSEBritish. nail polish.
verb (used with object)
8.
to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.
9.
to give a glossy appearance to.
10.
to give an improved appearance to; adorn.
11.
to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive: to varnish the truth.
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Revarnishing
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica
1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica
Related forms
var·nish·er, noun
var·nish·y, adjective
re·var·nish, verb (used with object)
well-var·nished, adjective
Synonyms
11. gild, disguise.
11. gild, disguise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To revarnishing
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
varnish
mid-14c., from O.Fr. vernis "varnish" (12c.), from M.L. vernix "odorous resin," perhaps from Late Gk. verenike, from Gk. 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
EXPAND Berenice). Figurative sense of "specious gloss, pretense," is recorded from 1560s. The verb is attested from late 14c.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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