Burnish

Bur·nish

Burnish

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Burnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Burnishing

  1. To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper.
    The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air.
    Now the village windows blaze, Burnished by the setting sun.
    — Cunningham.

Phrases & Compounds

Burnishing machine
a machine for smoothing and polishing by compression, as in making paper collars.

Burnish

v. i.
  1. To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large.
    A slender poet must have time to grow, And spread and burnish as his brothers do.
    My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell.

Burnish

n.
  1. The effect of burnishing; gloss; brightness; luster.