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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Varnish \Var"nish\, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium;
akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to
glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See
{Vitreous}.]
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1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous
matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a
brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries,
either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous
part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful
gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree,
the influences of air and moisture.
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Note: According to the sorts of solvents employed, the
ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three
classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes.
--Encyc. Brit
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2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
artificially; a glossy appearance.
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The varnish of the holly and ivy. --Macaulay.
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3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any
act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
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And set a double varnish on the fame
The Frenchman gave you. --Shak.
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{Varnish tree} (Bot.), a tree or shrub from the juice or
resin of which varnish is made, as some species of the
genus {Rhus}, especially {Rhus vernicifera} of Japan. The
black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the
{Melanorrh[oe]a usitatissima}, a tall East Indian tree of
the Cashew family. See {Copal}, and {Mastic}.
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Varnish \Var"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Varnishing}.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
{Varnish}, n.]
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1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces,
when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table;
to varnish a painting.
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2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair
appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss
over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. "Beauty doth
varnish age." --Shak.
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Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.
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Cato's voice was ne'er employed
To clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.
--Addison.
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