varnish

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)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.
2. (countable, uncountable)Anything resembling such a coating; a glossy appearance.

   “the varnish of the holly and ivy”

3. (broadly, countable, figuratively, uncountable)A deceptively showy appearance.

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

4. (US, countable, dated, informal, uncountable)A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.

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

verb

1. (intransitive)To apply varnish.
2. (transitive)To cover up with varnish.
3. (transitive)To make something superficially or deceptively attractive

   “varnish the report”

4. (transitive)To gloss over a defect.

   “[...] Go love thy infant; love thy wood-chopper: be good-natured and modest: have that grace; and never varnish your hard, uncharitable ambition with this incredible tenderness for black folk a thousand miles off. Thy love afar is spite at home.”