Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VAR'NISH, n. [Fr. vernis; Sp. barniz; Port. verniz; It. vernice; Low L. vernix; G. firniss; D. vernis.]

1. A thick, viscid, glossy liquid, laid on work by painters and others, to give it a smooth hard surface and a beautiful gloss. Varnishes are made of different materials and for different purposes. Amber varnish is made of amber, lint seed oil, litharge and turpentine. Black varnish, far japanning wood and leather, is made by mixing lampblack with a proper quantity of a strong solution of lac in spirit of wine . – Cyc.
2. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct.