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burnish

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To burnish is to polish or shine something by rubbing.

(verb)

An example of burnish is to shine a bronze statue.

See burnish in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become shiny by rubbing; polish

Origin: ME burnishen < OFr burniss-, extended stem of brunir, to make brown < brun: see brunet

noun

a gloss or polish

Related Forms:

burnisher noun

See burnish in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb bur·nished, bur·nish·ing, bur·nish·es

To make smooth or glossy by or as if by rubbing; polish.
To rub with a tool that serves especially to smooth or polish.

noun

A smooth glossy finish or appearance; luster.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English burnishen

Origin: , from Old French burnir, burniss-

Origin: , variant of brunir

Origin: , from brun, shining

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see bher-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

burˈnish·er noun

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