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.
the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish ).
any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.
a coating or surface of varnish.
something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.
superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy: The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.
British. nail polish.
verb (used with object)
to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.
to give a glossy appearance to.
to give an improved appearance to; adorn.
to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive: to varnish the truth.
Origin of varnish
1300–50; Middle English varnisch<Middle French vernis, verniz<Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac <Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica
SYNONYMS FOR varnish
11 gild, disguise.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR varnish ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM varnish
var·nish·er,nounvar·nish·y,adjectivere·var·nish,verb (used with object)well-varnished,adjective
Varnish, when at a certain temperature, is susceptible of contraction when any colder body is brought in contact with it.
Practical Carriage and Wagon Painting|Mayton Clarence Hillick
This, when finished, she covered with a thick coat of varnish, thus making a very good substitute for the more modern oil-cloth.
The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 4, Bay State Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, April, 1886|Various
He was almost overcome by the smell of assafoetida which emanated from the varnish, and which was caused by the heat.
Famous Violinists of To-day and Yesterday|Henry C. Lahee
It is admired, perhaps, because it has a gloss, rather than a shine of the varnish stamp.
French Polishing and Enamelling|Richard Bitmead
It is employed by artists in water colors and as a varnish for lacquer work.
Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture|William Saunders
British Dictionary definitions for varnish
varnish
/ (ˈvɑːnɪʃ) /
noun
Also called: oil varnisha 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
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 solventSee also spirit varnish
Also called: natural varnishthe sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating
a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish
an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer
mainlyBritish another word for nail polish
verb(tr)
to cover with varnish
to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish
to impart a more attractive appearance to
to make superficially attractive
Derived forms of varnish
varnisher, noun
Word Origin for varnish
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