Varnish tree

Varnish tree
Varnish 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}.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

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 [1913 Webster]

2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance. [1913 Webster]

The varnish of the holly and ivy. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss. [1913 Webster]

And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gave you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{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 {Rhus 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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • varnish tree — n. any of a number of trees whose sap or juice can be made into a varnish or LACQUER (n. 2) …   English World dictionary

  • varnish tree — 1. any of various trees yielding sap or other substances used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua, of Japan. 2. an Asian tree, Koelreuteria paniculata, of the soapberry family, having showy clusters of yellow flowers from 12 to 18 in. (30 to 46 cm)… …   Universalium

  • varnish tree — noun 1. large tree native to southeastern Asia; the nuts yield oil used in varnishes; nut kernels strung together are used locally as candles • Syn: ↑candlenut, ↑Aleurites moluccana • Hypernyms: ↑angiospermous tree, ↑flowering tree • Member… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Varnish tree — The name varnish tree could refer to two species of trees:*The goldenrain tree ( Koelreuteria paniculata ) *The candlenut, or kukui ( Aleurites moluccana ) …   Wikipedia

  • varnish-tree — lakingasis toksikodendras statusas T sritis vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Toxicodendron vernicifluum angl. Japanese lacquer tree; varnish tree vok. Firnis Sumach; Lack Sumach rus. лаковое дерево; сумак лаконосный; токсикодендрон лаконосный lenk.… …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • varnish tree — noun Date: 1758 any of various trees yielding a milky juice from which in some cases varnish or lacquer is prepared; especially an Asian tree (Rhus verniciflua syn. Toxicodendron vernicifluum) of the cashew family …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • varnish tree — var′nish tree n. pln any of various trees yielding sap that can be used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua, of the cashew family • Etymology: 1750–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • varnish tree — /ˈvanɪʃ tri/ (say vahnish tree) noun any of various trees yielding sap or other substances used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua of Japan. See lacquer (def. 2) …  

  • Japanese varnish tree — noun 1. small Asiatic tree yielding a toxic exudate from which lacquer is obtained • Syn: ↑varnish tree, ↑lacquer tree, ↑Chinese lacquer tree, ↑Japanese lacquer tree, ↑Japanese sumac, ↑Toxicodendron vernicifluum, ↑Rhus verniciflua …   Useful english dictionary

  • Varnish — 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}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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