■ noun
1》 a substance consisting of resin dissolved in a liquid, applied to wood to give a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry.
↘nail ~.
2》 literary an external or superficial appearance: an outward ~ of civilization.
■ verb apply ~ to.
Derivatives
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. vernis , from med. L. veronix 'fragrant resin, sandarac' or med. Gk berenikē , prob. from Berenice , a town in Cyrenaica.