I. ˈpälish, -lēsh, esp in pres part -ləsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English polisshen, from Old French poliss-, stem of polir to polish, from Latin polire; probably akin to Latin pellere to drive, beat, push — more at felt
transitive verb
1. : to make smooth and glossy by a mechanical process usually by friction : give luster to : burnish
glass … can be highly polished and cut — G.S. & Helen McKearin
cleanse and polish the teeth
— sometimes used with up
polished up the handle of the big front door — W.S.Gilbert
2. : to smooth, soften, or refine in manners : free from social roughness, crudeness, or coarseness : imbue with refinement or culture : make elegant, cultured, or polite
3. : to bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state : remove technical imperfections or crudities from : improve in style : perfect
readers who do not understand us should polish their wits — Stuart Chase
polished himself into one of the nation's most adept … specialists — Oscar Fraley
polish our outdoor flag ceremonies — Elin Lindberg
— often used with up
polish up his knowledge of … law — Beverly Smith
4. archaic : to transform or eliminate by polishing
an overjudicious author … polishes away the strength and energy of his thoughts — Free-Thinker
intransitive verb
: to become smooth : take on a gloss (as from or through friction)
steel polishes well
•
- polish apples
II. noun
( -es )
1. : a condition produced by or as if by polishing:
a. : a smooth glossy surface often produced by friction : gloss , luster
jade takes a high polish
a table with a high polish
b. : an exterior quality characterized by refinement and culture : freedom from rudeness or coarseness
the social class which is … still canine under its polish — George Meredith
acquire a … university polish — Harvey Graham
c. : a state of high development or refinement : a high quality (as of construction, interpretation, or performance) usually characterized by a freedom from technical imperfections or crudities
a production more remarkable for high polish than warmth of poetic feeling — Richard Garnett †1906
played … with the magnificent dash and polish of the true virtuoso — Winthrop Sargeant
2. : the action or process of polishing
polish is the final act of the mollusk in the building of its shell — Joyce Allan
3. : a preparation (as a liquid, cream, or wax) that is used to produce a gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration of a surface
stove polish
shoe polish
furniture polish
4. : rice polish
III. ˈpōlish, -lēsh adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Pole (VI) + -ish
1.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Poles
2. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Polish language
IV. noun
1. -es capitalized : the Slavic language of the Poles
2.
a. usually capitalized : a European breed of crested domestic fowls with small V-shaped combs
b. plural polish often capitalized : a bird of this breed
3.
a. usually capitalized : a breed of very small snow-white rabbits
b. plural polish often capitalized : a rabbit of this breed
4. -es : a lace shoe being five inches or more from the heel seat to the top and having the upper higher at the back than at the front