VARNISH

I. noun Etymology: Middle English vernisch, from Anglo-French vernis, from Old Italian or Medieval Latin; Old Italian vernice, from Medieval Latin veronic-, veronix sandarac Date: 14th century 1. a liquid preparation that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard lustrous typically transparent coating, the covering or glaze given by the application of ~, c. something that suggests ~ by its gloss, a coating (as of deposits in an internal combustion engine) comparable to ~, outside show ; gloss I, a liquid nail polish, ~y adjective II. transitive verb Date: 14th century to apply ~ to, to cover or conceal (as something unpleasant) with something that gives an attractive appearance ; gloss II, adorn , embellish , ~er noun