/ ˈvɑːnɪʃ; NAmE ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/ noun , verb
■ noun
[ U , C ] a liquid that is painted onto wood, metal, etc. and that forms a hard shiny transparent surface when it is dry
—see also nail varnish
■ verb
to put varnish on the surface of sth :
[ vn ]
The doors are then stained and varnished.
( BrE )
Josie was sitting at her desk, varnishing her nails.
[ vn - n ]
Her nails were varnished a brilliant shade of red.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French vernis , from medieval Latin veronix fragrant resin or medieval Greek berenikē , probably from Berenice , a town in Cyrenaica, a region of NE Libya.