Main Entry: ¹var·nish

Pronunciation: \ˈvär-nish\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English vernisch, from Anglo-French vernis, from Old Italian or Medieval Latin; Old Italian vernice, from Medieval Latin veronic-, veronix sandarac

Date: 14th century

1 a : a liquid preparation that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard lustrous typically transparent coating b : the covering or glaze given by the application of varnish c (1) : something that suggests varnish by its gloss (2) : a coating (as of deposits in an internal combustion engine) comparable to varnish
2 : outside show : ¹gloss
3 chiefly British : a liquid nail polish

— var·nishy \-ni-shē\ adjective