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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Varnish

Vär'nish, n.

noun

n. [O. Eng. vernish, Fr. vernis, Pr. vernis, vernitz, Pg. verniz, Sp. berniz, barniz, It. vernice, N. Lat. vernic, vernisium, L. Lat. vernicium, N. H. Ger. firniss, M. H. Ger. farnize, vernis, D. vernis, Dan. fernis, Sw. fernissa. See infra.]

  1. A thick, viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous matter in a volatile liquid, laid on work with a brush, or otherwise, the volatile part soon evaporating, and the resinous part forming thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful gloss.
  2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; glossy appearance. “The varnish of the holly and ivy.” Macaulay.
  3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss.

Vär'nish, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. VARNISHED (vär'-nisht); p. pr. & vb. n. VARNISHING.] [Fr. vernir, verniss-er, Pr. vernissar, bernicar, Sp. barnizar, Pg. envernizar, It. vernicare, vernicciare, probably from L. as if vitrinire, to glaze, from L. Lat. vitrinus, for Lat. vitreus, of or like glass, glassy, Pr. veirin, from Lat. vitrum, glass.]

Sense 1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid, for giving a glossy surface to; as, to varnish a side-board or table.

Sense 2. To cover with something that gives a fair external appearance. “Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal.” Milton.

Beauty doth varnish age. Shak.

Sense 3. To give a fair external appearance to in words; to give a fair coloring to; as, to varnish errors or deformity. “And bow the knee to pomp that loves to varnish guilt.” Byron.

Cato's voice was ne'er employed To clear the guilty and to varnish crimes. Addison.