Chemistrya preparation for coating surfaces, as of wood, made of the resin of trees dissolved in oil, alcohol, or the like: [uncountable]a coat of varnish.[countable]different varnishes.
[uncountable] a coating or surface of varnish, esp. a clear, shiny, glossy coating.
Chemistrya 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.
Chemistrythe sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish.)
Chemistryany 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, esp. to conceal some defect or inadequacy:The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.
[Brit.]nail polish.
v.t.
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, esp. in order to deceive:to varnish the truth.
Medieval Greek berní̄kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berení̄kē, city in Cyrenaica
Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac
Middle French vernis, verniz
Middle English varnisch 1300–50
var′nish•er, n. var′nish•y, adj.
11.See corresponding entry in Unabridged gild, disguise.
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 solvent
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
to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish
to impart a more attractive appearance to
Etymology: 14th Century: 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 usedˈvarnisher
Forum discussions with the word(s) "mat varnish" in the title: