varnish
Use Varnish in a sentence
nɪʃ 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.
something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.
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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Varnish
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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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To varnish
Collins
World English Dictionary
varnish (ˈvɑːnɪʃ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | 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 |
| 2. | See also spirit varnish 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 solvent |
| 3. | Also called: natural varnish the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating |
| 4. | a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish |
| 5. | an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer |
| 6. | chiefly (Brit) another word for nail polish |
| —vb | |
| 7. | to cover with varnish |
| 8. | to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish |
| 9. | to impart a more attractive appearance to |
| 10. | to make superficially attractive |
| [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] | |
| 'varnisher | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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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
Berenice). Figurative sense of "specious gloss, pretense," is recorded from 1560s. The verb is attested from late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
varnish
liquid coating material containing a resin that dries to a hard transparent film. Most varnishes are a blend of resin, drying oil, drier, and volatile solvent. When varnish dries, its solvent portion evaporates, and the remaining constituents oxidize or polymerize to form a durable transparent film. Varnishes provide protective coatings for wooden surfaces, paintings, and various decorative objects. Varnish protects and enhances the appearance of wooden floors, interior wood paneling and trim, and furniture.
Learn more about varnish with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Some are used for cleaning, others for use as paint, shellac or varnish thinners.
Some are used for cleaning, while others are intended for use as paint, shellac or varnish thinners.
Painters use umpteen varieties of synthetic pigments and binders, not the straightforward oils and varnish of their forebears.
Artists and conservators alike have long sought more stable varnish materials.
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