Chapter Variableness to Vartabed of V by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

According to the sorts of solvents employed, the ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes. Encyc. Brit

2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance.

The varnish of the holly and ivy.

Macaulay.

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

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

Shak.

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 R. vernicifera of Japan. The black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the Melanorrhœa usitatissima, a tall East Indian tree of the Cashew family. See Copal, and Mastic.

Varnish
(Var"nish), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Varnished ; p. pr. & vb. n. Varnishing.] [Cf. F. vernir, vernisser. See Varnish, n.]

1. To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces, when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table; to varnish a painting.

2. To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt. "Beauty doth varnish age." Shak.

Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal.

Milton.

Cato's voice was ne'er employed
To clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.

Addison.

Varnisher
(Var"nish*er) n.

1. One who varnishes; one whose occupation is to varnish.

2. One who disguises or palliates; one who gives a fair external appearance. Pope.

Varnishing
(Var"nish*ing), n. The act of laying on varnish; also, materials for varnish.

Vartabed
(Var"ta*bed) n. [Armen., a doctor, master, preceptor.] (Eccl.) A doctor or teacher in the Armenian church. Members of this order of ecclesiastics frequently have charge of dioceses, with episcopal functions.