from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Varnish \Var"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Varnishing}.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
{Varnish}, n.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces,
when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table;
to varnish a painting.
[1913 Webster]
2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair
appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss
over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. "Beauty doth
varnish age." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Cato's voice was ne'er employed
To clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.
--Addison.
[1913 Webster]