BURNISH Meaning and
Definition
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Burnish is a verb that refers to the act of polishing, shining, or smoothing a surface, typically metal, to make it glossy, gleaming or lustrous. It involves applying pressure and friction with a tool or cloth to create a smooth and bright finish. The process of burnishing is often employed to enhance the appearance of objects or to remove imperfections.
In the context of metalwork, burnishing is usually accomplished by rubbing the surface with a tool made of a hard material, such as steel or agate, using repetitive circular or back-and-forth motions. This action compresses the metal, reducing any scratches or irregularities, and producing a highly reflective surface. Burnishing can also be achieved by using an abrasive substance like sandpaper or polishing compounds along with a cloth or brush.
Beyond metal, burnishing can be applied to various materials, including wood, ceramics, and leather, to refine their appearance and render them more smooth and shiny. It can be done manually or with the aid of mechanized tools and equipment, depending on the complexity and size of the object being burnished.
Metaphorically, burnishing can be used to describe the act of enhancing or refining anything beyond physical surfaces, such as skills, reputation, or even an idea, by diligently and skillfully improving and perfecting it.
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• To polish by friction; to make smooth and bright by rubbing; to become bright by friction.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BURNISH
Etymology of BURNISH
The word "burnish" originated from the Middle English term "burnischen", which came from the Old English word "byrnan", meaning to cause to shine bright or to make burnished. The Old English word "byrnan" was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "brinnaną", which meant to burn, to be on fire, or to shine. This Proto-Germanic term is believed to have roots in the Proto-Indo-European word "*bʰer-", meaning to gleam or to shine. Overall, the etymology of the word "burnish" traces back to ancient Germanic and Indo-European languages.
Similar spelling words for BURNISH
Conjugate verb Burnish
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have burnished
you
would have burnished
he/she/it
would have burnished
we
would have burnished
they
would have burnished
I
would have burnish
you
would have burnish
he/she/it
would have burnish
we
would have burnish
they
would have burnish
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been burnishing
you
would have been burnishing
he/she/it
would have been burnishing
we
would have been burnishing
they
would have been burnishing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would burnish
you
would burnish
he/she/it
would burnish
we
would burnish
they
would burnish
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be burnishing
you
would be burnishing
he/she/it
would be burnishing
we
would be burnishing
they
would be burnishing
FUTURE
I
will burnish
you
will burnish
he/she/it
will burnish
we
will burnish
they
will burnish
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be burnishing
you
will be burnishing
he/she/it
will be burnishing
we
will be burnishing
they
will be burnishing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have burnished
you
will have burnished
he/she/it
will have burnished
we
will have burnished
they
will have burnished
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been burnishing
you
will have been burnishing
he/she/it
will have been burnishing
we
will have been burnishing
they
will have been burnishing
IMPERATIVE
you
burnish
we
let´s burnish
to burnish
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was burnishing
you
were burnishing
he/she/it
was burnishing
we
were burnishing
they
were burnishing
PAST PARTICIPLE
burnished
PAST PERFECT
I
had burnished
you
had burnished
he/she/it
had burnished
we
had burnished
they
had burnished
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been burnishing
you
had been burnishing
he/she/it
had been burnishing
we
had been burnishing
they
had been burnishing
PRESENT
I
burnish
you
burnish
he/she/it
burnishes
we
burnish
they
burnish
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am burnishing
you
are burnishing
he/she/it
is burnishing
we
are burnishing
they
are burnishing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
burnishing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have burnished
you
have burnished
he/she/it
has burnished
we
have burnished
they
have burnished
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been burnishing
you
have been burnishing
he/she/it
has been burnishing
we
have been burnishing
they
have been burnishing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
burnish
SIMPLE PAST
I
burnished
you
burnished
he/she/it
burnished
we
burnished
they
burnished
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