Main Entry: ¹bur·nish

Pronunciation: \ˈbər-nish\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English burnischen, from Anglo-French burniss-, stem of burnir, alteration of Old French brunir, literally, to make brown, from brun

Date: 14th century

1 a : to make shiny or lustrous especially by rubbing b : polish 3
2 : to rub (a material) with a tool for compacting or smoothing or for turning an edge

— bur·nish·er noun

— bur·nish·ing adjective or noun