Definition of "varnish" []

• A paint containing a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder, used to coat a surface with a hard, glossy, transparent film. (noun)
• The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this paint. (noun)
• Something suggestive of or resembling varnish. (noun)
• A deceptively attractive external appearance; an outward show. (noun)
• To cover with varnish. (verb-transitive)

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.

• "A fire retardant varnish is then applied to the entire piece."
• "A good varnish is one that will not separate, Mauclerc stated, because the ingredients have formed an indivisible union: his theory of varnishmaking is also a theory of chemical combination. 23 Complete joining of the materials is only certain when there has been effervesce."
• "A thin coat of varnish is now painted over the parts that are sufficiently deepened, technically speaking they are "stopped out," and the process of biting is recommenced."