varnishing

Varnishing \Var"nish*ing\, n.
   The act of laying on varnish; also, materials for varnish.
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Varnish \Var"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varnished}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Varnishing}.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
   {Varnish}, n.]
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   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.
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   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.
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            Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.
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            Cato's voice was ne'er employed
            To clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.
                                                  --Addison.
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