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View synonyms for burnish

burnish

[ bur-nish ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to polish (a surface) by friction.

    Synonyms: shine, buff

  2. to make smooth and bright.
  3. Engraving. to flatten and enlarge the dots of (a halftone) by rubbing with a tool.


noun

  1. gloss; brightness; luster:

    the burnish of brass andirons.

burnish

/ ˈbɜːnɪʃ /

verb

  1. to make or become shiny or smooth by friction; polish
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a shiny finish; lustre
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈburnishable, adjective
  • ˈburnisher, noun
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Other Words From

  • burnish·a·ble adjective
  • burnish·ment noun
  • un·burnished adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of burnish1

1275–1325; Middle English burnissh < Anglo-French burniss-, Middle French bruniss- (long stem of burnir, brunir to darken, polish), equivalent to brun- brown + -iss- -ish 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of burnish1

C14 burnischen , from Old French brunir to make brown, from brun brown
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Example Sentences

With a deluxe new remix courtesy of engineer Paul Hicks and Harrison’s son Dhani, "Living in the Material World" has finally been burnished for our new millennium.

From Salon

Close, who reprised her Tony-winning performance as Norma in the 2017 Broadway revival and added layers of authenticity burnished by time, made the musical seem weightier than it is.

Rather than attacking Trump even before all the votes are counted, Newsom should focus on trying to burnish his record as California governor.

Newsom burnished his brand as a fighter for the party after calling out national Democrats for failing to go on the offensive in the culture wars.

He also accused Schiff of pursuing a vendetta against Trump to burnish his own career.

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