Pol"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Polished (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Polishing.] [F. polir, L. polire. Cf.
Polite, -ish] 1. To make smooth and
glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; to overspread with luster;
as, to polish glass, marble, metals, etc.
2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness,
coarseness, or rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to
polish life or manners. Milton.
To polish off, to finish completely, as an
adversary. [Slang] W. H. Russell.
Pol"ish (?), a. [From Pole a
Polander.] Of or pertaining to Poland or its inhabitants. -
- n. The language of the Poles.
Pol"ish, n. 1. A
smooth, glossy surface, usually produced by friction; a gloss or
luster.
Another prism of clearer glass and better
polish.
Sir I. Newton.
2. Anything used to produce a gloss.
3. Fig.: Refinement; elegance of
manners.
This Roman polish and this smooth
behavior.
Addison.Pol"ish, v. i. To become smooth, as
from friction; to receive a gloss; to take a smooth and glossy
surface; as, steel polishes well. Bacon.