/ ˌvɜːnɪˈsɑːʒ; NAmE ˌvɜːrn-/ noun
( pl. ver·nis·sages / ˌvɜːnɪˈsɑːʒ; NAmE ˌvɜːrn-/) an occasion when a few invited people can look at paintings before they go on show to the public
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WORD ORIGIN
French , literally varnishing , originally referring to the day prior to an exhibition when artists were allowed to retouch and varnish hung work.