[ver-nuh-sahzh; Fr. ver-nee-sazh] 
[-sah-zhiz; Fr. -sazh] . | 1. | Also called varnishing day. the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved for the artist to varnish the paintings. |
| 2. | a reception at a gallery for an artist whose show is about to open to the public. |
| ver·nis·sage (věr'nĭ-säzh') n. A private showing held before the opening of an art exhibition. [French, from vernis, varnish, from Old French; see varnish.] |
nəˈsɑʒ