I. var ‧ nish 1 /ˈvɑːnɪʃ $ ˈvɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: vernis , from Medieval Latin veronix type of resin used for making varnish ]
a clear liquid that is painted onto things, especially things made of wood, to protect them, or the hard shiny surface produced by this
II. varnish 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to cover something with varnish