Definition of "burnish" []

• To make smooth or glossy by or as if by rubbing; polish. (verb-transitive)
• To rub with a tool that serves especially to smooth or polish. (verb-transitive)
• A smooth glossy finish or appearance; luster. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Nice to see a potential American leader able to once again burnish America’s image abroad. —"
• "This past week, Limbaugh insisted that the Obama White House would use the catastrophe in Haiti to "burnish" the president's standing and credibility "with the black community, in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community, in this country.""
• "The editors accuse Scott of "shamelessly exploiting the tragedy of a family of a severely disabled young woman" in order to "burnish" his pro-life bona fides."