[var.nish] n [ME vernisch, fr. MF vernis, fr. OIt or ML; OIt vernice, fr. ML veronic-, veronix sandarac] (14c) 1 a: a liquid preparation that when spread and allowed to dry on a surface forms a hard lustrous typically transparent coating b: the covering or glaze given by the application of varnish c (1): something that suggests varnish by its gloss (2): a coating (as of deposits in an internal combustion engine) comparable to varnish
2: outside show: [1]gloss 3 chiefly Brit: a liquid nail polish -- var.nishy adj
[2]varnish vt (14c) 1: to apply varnish to
2: to cover or conceal (as something unpleasant) with something that gives a fair appearance:
[2]gloss
3: adorn, embellish -- var.nish.er n