Definitions for: Varnish


[n] paint that provides a hard glossy transparent coating
[v] cover with varnish



Webster (1913) Definition: Var"nish, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium;
akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to
glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See
Vitreous.]
1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous
matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a
brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries,
either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous
part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful
gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree,
the influences of air and moisture.

Note: According to the sorts of solvents employed, the
ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three
classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes.
--Encyc. Brit

2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
artificially; a 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.

And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman
gave you. --Shak.

Varnish tree (Bot.), a tree or shrub from the juice or
resin of which varnish is made, as some species of the
genus Rhus, especially R. vernicifera of Japan. The
black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the
Melanorrh[oe]a usitatissima, a tall East Indian tree of
the Cashew family. See Copal, and Mastic.


Var"nish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Varnished; p. pr. &
vb. n. Varnishing.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
Varnish, n.]
1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces,
when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table;
to varnish a painting.

2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair
appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss
over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. ``Beauty doth
varnish age.'' --Shak.

Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.

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

Synonyms: seal

See Also: coat, fixative, lacquer, paint, shellac, shellac, shellac varnish, surface

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