v., -ished, -ish·ing, -ish·es. v.tr.
- To make smooth and shiny by rubbing or chemical action.
- To remove the outer layers from (grains of rice) by rotation in drums.
- To free from coarseness; refine: polish one's manners.
- To remove flaws from; perfect or complete: polish one's piano technique; polish up the lyrics.
- To become smooth or shiny by or as if by being rubbed.
- To become perfect or refined.
- Smoothness or shininess of surface or finish.
- A substance containing chemical agents or abrasive particles and applied to smooth or shine a surface: shoe polish.
- The act or process of polishing.
- Elegance of style or manners; refinement.
polish off Informal.
- To finish or dispose of quickly and easily.
[Middle English polisshen, from Old French polir, poliss-, from Latin polīre.]
polisher pol'ish·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
