Varnish

Definitions

1. A clear or translucent liquid coating composed of resin dissolved in a solvent, which dries by evaporation to form a hard, protective, and typically glossy finish.
   countable, uncountable
2. Anything resembling such a coating; a glossy appearance.
   countable, uncountable
3. A deceptively showy appearance.
   broadly, countable, figuratively, uncountable
4. A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.
   US, countable, dated, informal, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“the varnish of the holly and ivy”

“And set⟳ a double⟳ varnish on the fame / The Frenchman gave you.”

“Every transcontinental but two settled on the simple articulated for freight service, and all of them coupled their varnish to the 4-8-4.”

CEFR level