from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Polish \Pol"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Polishing}.] [F. polir, L. polire. Cf. {Polite}, {-ish}]
1. To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to
burnish; to overspread with luster; as, to polish glass,
marble, metals, etc.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, coarseness, or
rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to polish
life or manners. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
{To polish off}, to finish completely, as an adversary.
[Slang] --W. H. Russell.
[1913 Webster]