varnishes

Noun

varnish (countable and uncountable, plural varnishes)

1. A clear or translucent liquid coating composed of resin dissolved in a solvent, which dries by evaporation to form a hard, protective, and typically glossy finish.
   • ..; and this process should be continued until all the gum is properly dissolved, which is easily known by having an empty tin can to pour the varnish into, until near the last, which is to be poured into a gallon measure;...1847, editorial staff, “White Hard Spirit of Wine Varnish”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 9, page 72
2. Anything resembling such a coating; a glossy appearance.
   • the varnish of the holly and ivy1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XII, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and...
3. (broadly, figuratively) A deceptively showy appearance.
   • And set a double varnish on the fame / The Frenchman gave you.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...
4. (US, dated, informal) A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.
   • Every transcontinental but two settled on the simple articulated for freight service, and all of them coupled their varnish to the 4-8-4.1959, David P. Morgan, editor, Steam's Finest Hour, Kalmbach Publishing Co.

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