Webster's English Dictionary

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varnish

1. var.nish \va:r-nish\ \-ni-she-\ n [ME vernisch, fr. MF vernis, fr. OIt 
   or ML; OIt vernice, fr.]ML veronic-, veronix sandarac (resin) 1a: a liquid 
   preparation that when spread upon a surface dries forming a ha rd lustrous 
   typically transparent coating 1b: the covering or glaze given by the 
   application of varnish  1c: something that suggests varnish by its gloss  
   2: outside show : GLOSS  chiefly Brit  3: a lacquer or enamel nail polish  
   - var.nishy aj
2. varnish \-nish-*r\ vt 1: to apply varnish to  2: to cover or conceal 
   with something that gives a fair appearnce : G LOSS 3: ADORN, EMBELLISH  - 
   var.nish.er n