polish

polish [päl′ish]

vt.

[ME polischen < inflected stem of OFr polir < L polire, to polish, prob. < IE base * pel-, to drive, impel > FELT¹]

1.

a) to smooth and brighten, as by rubbing

b) to coat with polish, wax, etc. and make bright or glossy

2. to improve or refine (someone or someone's manners, appearance, etc.) as by removing crudeness or vulgarity

3. to complete or embellish (a piece of writing, etc.); finish; perfect

vi.

to take a polish; become glossy, elegant, or refined

n.

1. a surface gloss

2. elegance, refinement, cultivation, finish, or the like

3. a substance used for polishing

4. the act of polishing or condition of being polished

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polish off Informal

1. to finish (a meal, job, etc.) completely and quickly

2. to overcome or get rid of (a competitor, enemy, etc.)

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polish up

Informal to improve (something)

polisher

n.

SYN.- POLISH implies a rubbing, as with a cloth or tool and, often, an abrasive, paste, etc., to produce a smooth or glossy surface [to polish silver, glass, furniture, etc. ]; BURNISH specifically suggests a rubbing of metals to make them bright and lustrous [burnished steel ]; BUFF¹ implies polishing with a stick or tool covered with specially treated leather (originally buffalo hide) or other material [to buff the fingernails ]; SHINE implies a making bright and clean by polishing [to shine shoes ]