French polish
1 Americannoun
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a furniture finish, consisting of shellac dissolved in spirits.
verb (used with object)
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to finish or treat (a piece of furniture) with French polish.
noun
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a varnish for wood consisting of shellac dissolved in alcohol
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the gloss finish produced by repeated applications of this polish
verb
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to treat with French polish or give a French polish (to)
Etymology
Origin of French polish1
First recorded in 1810–20
Origin of French-polish2
First recorded in 1830–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dr. Walter Damrosch started the idea, after running a wartime school in which U. S. bandmasters took a high French polish.
From Time Magazine Archive
Another good black polish is obtained by gas-black being applied to the rubber after wetting with French polish, the cover being then put on and worked in the usual manner.
From French Polishing and Enamelling A Practical Work of Instruction by Bitmead, Richard
If I only hadn't used that abominable French polish this morning.
From A Voyage of Consolation (being in the nature of a sequel to the experiences of 'An American girl in London') by Duncan, Sara Jeannette
Beeswax, emery paper, glass paper, French polish, oil, putty powder,spirits of wine, &c., &c.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 117, July, 1867. by Various
It's not French polish, but I haven't seen varnish as good as this.
From Blake's Burden by Bindloss, Harold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.