- a preparation consisting of resinous matter, as copal or lac, dissolved in an oil (oil varnish ) or in alcohol (spirit varnish ) or other volatile liquid. When applied to the surface of wood, metal, etc., it dries and leaves a hard, more or less glossy, usually transparent coating.
- the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose (natural varnish ).
- any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.
- a coating or surface of varnish.
- something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.
- superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy: The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.
- nail polish.
- to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.
- to give a glossy appearance to.
- to give an improved appearance to; adorn.
- to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive: to varnish the truth.
- a preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc, for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating
- a similar preparation consisting of a substance, such as shellac or cellulose ester, dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as alcohol. It hardens to a film on evaporation of the solvent
- the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating
- a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish
- an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer
- mainly British another word for nail polish
- to cover with varnish
- to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish
- to impart a more attractive appearance to
- to make superficially attractive
