\Var"nish\, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium;
akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to
glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See
{Vitreous}.]
1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous
   matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a
   brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries,
   either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous
   part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful
   gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree,
   the influences of air and moisture.
Note: According to the sorts of solvents employed, the
      ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three
      classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes.
      --Encyc. Brit
2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
   artificially; a glossy appearance.
         The varnish of the holly and ivy.     --Macaulay.
3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any
   act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
         And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman
         gave you.                             --Shak.
{Varnish tree} (Bot.), a tree or shrub from the juice or
   resin of which varnish is made, as some species of the
   genus {Rhus}, especially {R. vernicifera} of Japan. The
   black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the
   {Melanorrh[oe]a usitatissima}, a tall East Indian tree of
   the Cashew family. See {Copal}, and {Mastic}.

\Var"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Varnished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Varnishing}.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See
{Varnish}, n.]
1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces,
   when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table;
   to varnish a painting.
2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair
   appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss
   over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. ``Beauty doth
   varnish age.'' --Shak.
         Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal. --Milton.
         Cato's voice was ne'er employed To clear the guilty
         and to varnish crimes.                --Addison.