polish English · revision 6180

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1325|origins=la polīre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈpɒl.ɪʃ/, US /ˈpɑː.lɪʃ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English polisen, polishen, [[bor|fro|poliss-]], the lengthened stem of [[m|fro|polir|t=to polish, decorate]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) from [[la|polīre|t=to polish, make smooth; to refine]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) of uncertain origin;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Watkins, quoted by Etymonline, derives it from PIE [[ine-pro|*pel-|t=to thrust, strike, drive]], through the fulling of cloth, and MWU relates it to [[m|la|pellere|t=to drive, beat]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The ending is the [[-ish]] of verbs from French.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To make smooth and shiny: before 1325 in ''Cursor Mundi'' in Barnhart, the early 14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense, to free from coarseness or refine, is from about 1340, in an early psalter;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) compare [[polite]], from the same Latin verb.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The noun was at first figurative too, refinement or elegance of manner, from 1597;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) smoothness of surface is from 1704 and the act of polishing from 1704–05, in Newton's ''Opticks'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a substance used for polishing from 1819.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Nail polish is called simply polish from 1917.^(OED 1989) ''To polish off'', to finish quickly, is a later informal use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) In Yorkshire dialect, to polish was to eat up entirely.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1325 – to make smooth and shiny.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1340 – to refine, figuratively.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1597 – the noun, refinement.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1704 – smoothness, the act of polishing.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1819 – a polishing substance.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1917 – nail polish.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make smooth and shiny by rubbing, often with a [[wax]] or abrasive.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To improve or perfect; to [[refine]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(polish off)'' To finish quickly, as a meal or task.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To remove the outer layers from grains of [[rice]].^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A substance used to give a smooth, shiny surface: ''shoe polish'', ''nail polish''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Smoothness and shine of surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Refinement or elegance of style or manner.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[polisher]]

+ * [[electropolish]]

+ * [[apple-polish]]

+ * [[depolish]]

+ * [[repolish]]

+ * [[overpolish]]

+ * [[polished]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[polite]]

+ * [[Polish]]

+ * [[interpolate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Polish with a capital P, of Poland, is a different word, from [[Pole]] and [[-ish]] (1670s in Etymonline, 1574 in MWU), pronounced UK /ˈpəʊ.lɪʃ/, US /ˈpoʊ.lɪʃ/.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}