varnishedadj.
/ˈvɑːnɪʃt/, U.S. /ˈvɑrnɪʃt/ 1.
a. Coated with varnish; †painted.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [adjective] > painted or coloured
painted1485
varnished1553
bepainted1594
plaster-faced1618
superficialized1623
farding1637
fuco'd1652
whitewashed1654
fucused1685
fardeda1763
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > painting or coating materials > [adjective] > varnished or lacquered
varnished1553
lacquered1687
1553 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1913) X. 176 Ane pair of warnist styrrep irnis.
1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 3/2 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu Spanish Gram. What rapier?.. None but that varnist rapier, least it should raine.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. v. 33 Nor thrust your head..To gaze on Christian fooles with varnisht faces. View more context for this quotation
1671 R. Boyle Some Considerations Usefulnesse Exper. Nat. Philos. (ed. 2) ii. v. 29 I am credibly inform'd, that the Art of making the like Varnish'd Wares, is now begun to be a Trade at Paris.
1755 Dict. Arts & Sci. at Japanning Laying this paper upon the table, or piece of varnished-work.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature I. 247 The varnished superior surface imbibes the essential particles.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering III. x. 182 Brown silk stockings, highly-varnished shoes, and gold buckles.
b. transferred. Presenting a shining or glossy appearance as if coated with varnish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [adjective] > made reflective or lustrous
ybrent1297
yburnuschtc1330
polisheda1382
burnishedc1400
well-polished1485
glazed1530
slicked1594
glossed1602
nut-brown1609
well-glossed?1611
perpolished1616
varnished1642
reflectorized1932
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. I4v Fresh varnish'd groves, tall hills, and gilded clouds Arching an eielid for the gloring morn.
a1644 F. Quarles Shepheards Oracles (1646) ix. 101 See, how sweat imbalmes His varnisht Temples!
1733 A. Pope Impertinent iv. 13 Such painted Puppets, such a varnish'd Race Of hollow Gewgaws, only Dress and Face!
c1820 Dublin Hosp. Rep. III. 23 A florid, clear, varnished tongue.
1855 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. V. 83 The variety..termed the Varnished Willow, is an upright tree.
2. figurative.
a. Embellished; speciously tricked out.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > [adjective] > ornamental > using ornate style
flourishinga1552
varnished1607
florid1671
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 129 A smug neate stile,..vernished phrases.
1662 Bp. E. Hopkins Funeral Serm. (1685) 103 Nor easily cousened by varnisht and plausible error.
b. Simulated, pretended.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > having or given specious appearance
paintedc1390
daubedc1400
cloakeda1500
fucate1531
fucated1535
coloured1537
flim-flam1577
tinsel1595
varnisheda1616
punkish1616
white-limeda1631
pargeted1645
tinselled1651
vizarded1663
lacquered1687
glossy1698
catchpenny1705
catch-shilling1808
tinselly1811
whitewashed1859
shoddy1882
veneered1884
hollowed-out1890
face-lifted1941
suede shoe1952
cosmetic1955
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. ii. 36 To haue his pompe..But onely painted like his varnisht Friends. View more context for this quotation
1685 J. Dryden Threnodia Augustalis iv. 7 Whose Noble pride Was still above Dissembled hate or varnisht Love.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1553