I. və̇ˈni(ə)r, -iə noun
( -s )
Etymology: German furnier, from furnieren to veneer
1.
a. : a thin sheet of wood cut or sawed from a log and adapted for adherence to a smooth surface (as of wood)
cut the log into veneers
as
(1) : a layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain for overlaying an inferior wood (as in cabinetmaking) usually by gluing
(2) : any one of the thin layers that are glued or otherwise bonded together to form plywood
b. : material (as sheets of wood) for veneering ; sometimes : thin highly glazed colored paperboard for such use
2. : something felt to resemble or functioning in the manner of a veneer of wood especially in forming a superficial layer: as
a. : a superficial or meretricious show : gloss
b. : a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or stone) for a wall
c.
(1) : a thin but extensive covering of an older geological formation or surface
a veneer of till
(2) : a weathered or otherwise altered surficial part of a rock
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: earlier fineer, from German furnieren, from French fournir to furnish, from Middle French furnir, fournir to complete, equip — more at furnish
1.
a. : to overlay or plate (as a common sort of wood) with a thin layer of finer wood for outer finish or decoration
veneer gumwood furniture with mahogany
broadly : to face with a material giving a superior surface
a wall veneered with brick
b. : to glue together (thin pieces of wood) into plywood
2. : to cover like a veneer of wood : give an attractive surface appearance to ; especially : to conceal (as a defect of character) under a superficial and specious attractiveness