- Enter a word for the dictionary definition. 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]