varnish English · revision 886

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈvɑː(ɹ)nɪʃ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|vernisshe]], [[bor|fro|vernis]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from [[la-med|vernix|t=odorous resin, sandarac]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) a word of uncertain origin,^(Etymonline) perhaps from Late Greek ''verenikē'', from the city of [[grc|Βερενίκη|tr=Bereníkē]] in Libya (modern Benghazi),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) which is credited with the first use of varnishes.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Resinous matter dissolved in a liquid and spread over a surface to give it a hard, shining coat (1341–42 in the OED; 1358 in Barnhart).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense, “a specious gloss or outward show, a pretence”, is recorded from 1565.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) The verb, “to coat with varnish”, dates from the late 14th century,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) and “to gloss over, to disguise” from 1571.^(OED 1989) The ''varnishing day'' before an art exhibition, on which painters could retouch or varnish their hung pictures, dates from the early 19th century (the Royal Academy, 1809).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1341–42 – a resinous coating.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1390 – verb, to coat with varnish.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1565 – a specious gloss, a pretence.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1571 – verb, to gloss over.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1809 – ''varnishing day''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A liquid of [[resin]] dissolved in oil, alcohol or another solvent, which dries to a hard, glossy, transparent coating.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The smooth glossy coating produced by such a liquid; anything resembling it.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A deceptively attractive outward appearance; a [[gloss]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(chiefly British)'' Nail polish.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cover with varnish.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To give a smooth, glossy finish to.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+ # To give a deceptively attractive appearance to; to gloss over.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[varnisher]]

+ * [[nail varnish]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lacquer]]

+ * [[shellac]]

+ * [[gloss]]

+ * [[veneer]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}