GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Burnish , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burnished ; p. pr. & vb. n. Burnishing.] [OE. burnischen, burnissen, burnen, OF. burnir, brunir, to make brown, polish, F. brunir, fr. F. brun brown, fr. OHG. brn; cf. MHG. briunen to make brown, polish. See Brown, a.] To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper.
   1913 Webster
   The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare
   From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air.
   Dryden.
   
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   Now the village windows blaze,
   Burnished by the setting sun.
   Cunningham.
   
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   Burnishing machine, a machine for smoothing and polishing by compression, as in making paper collars.
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2.       
   Burnish, v. i. To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large.
   1913 Webster
   A slender poet must have time to grow,
   And spread and burnish as his brothers do.
   Dryden.
   
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   My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell.
   Herbert.
   
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3.       
   Burnish, n. The effect of burnishing; gloss; brightness; luster.
   Crashaw.
   
   1913 Webster