burnish

¹bur·nish

verb \ˈbər-nish\

Definition of BURNISH

transitive verb

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

Examples of BURNISH

1. <burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster>

Origin of BURNISH

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BURNISH

Synonyms: buff, polish, dress, furbish, gloss, grind, rub, shine, smooth, smoothen

Related Words: sleek, slick; coat, glaze, japan, lacquer, varnish; face, finish, veneer; brighten; file, rasp, sand, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scrub; bob, bone, lap

Near Antonyms: rough (up), roughen, ruffle, scuff (up)

[+]more[-]hide

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

Rhymes with BURNISH

furnish