释义 |
pol·ish I. \ˈpälish, -lēsh, esp in pres part -ləsh\ verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English polisshen, from Old French poliss-, stem of polir to polish, from Latin polire; probably akin to Latin pellere to drive, beat, push — more at felt transitive verb 1. : to make smooth and glossy by a mechanical process usually by friction : give luster to : burnish < glass … can be highly polished and cut — G.S. & Helen McKearin > < cleanse and polish the teeth > — sometimes used with up < polished up the handle of the big front door — W.S.Gilbert > 2. : to smooth, soften, or refine in manners : free from social roughness, crudeness, or coarseness : imbue with refinement or culture : make elegant, cultured, or polite 3. : to bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state : remove technical imperfections or crudities from : improve in style : perfect < readers who do not understand us should polish their wits — Stuart Chase > < polished himself into one of the nation's most adept … specialists — Oscar Fraley > < polish our outdoor flag ceremonies — Elin Lindberg > — often used with up < polish up his knowledge of … law — Beverly Smith > 4. archaic : to transform or eliminate by polishing < an overjudicious author … polishes away the strength and energy of his thoughts — Free-Thinker > intransitive verb : to become smooth : take on a gloss (as from or through friction) < steel polishes well > • - polish apples II. noun (-es) 1. : a condition produced by or as if by polishing: a. : a smooth glossy surface often produced by friction : gloss, luster < jade takes a high polish > < a table with a high polish > b. : an exterior quality characterized by refinement and culture : freedom from rudeness or coarseness < the social class which is … still canine under its polish — George Meredith > < acquire a … university polish — Harvey Graham > c. : a state of high development or refinement : a high quality (as of construction, interpretation, or performance) usually characterized by a freedom from technical imperfections or crudities < a production more remarkable for high polish than warmth of poetic feeling — Richard Garnett †1906 > < played … with the magnificent dash and polish of the true virtuoso — Winthrop Sargeant > 2. : the action or process of polishing < polish is the final act of the mollusk in the building of its shell — Joyce Allan > 3. : a preparation (as a liquid, cream, or wax) that is used to produce a gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration of a surface < stove polish > < shoe polish > < furniture polish > 4. : rice polish III. \ˈpōlish, -lēsh\ adjective Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: Pole (VI) + -ish 1. a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Poles 2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Polish language IV. noun 1. -es capitalized : the Slavic language of the Poles 2. a. usually capitalized : a European breed of crested domestic fowls with small V-shaped combs b. plural polish often capitalized : a bird of this breed 3. a. usually capitalized : a breed of very small snow-white rabbits b. plural polish often capitalized : a rabbit of this breed 4. -es : a lace shoe being five inches or more from the heel seat to the top and having the upper higher at the back than at the front |