vbl. sb. [BURNISH v.1]

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  1.  The action of brightening or polishing (chiefly metallic surfaces); also attrib.

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1552.  Huloet, Bournyshyng or poolyshyng.

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1598.  Florio, Frugatoio, a burnishing toole.

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1644.  Milton, Educ., Wks. (1847), 98/2. As it were the burnishing of many studious & contemplative years.

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1764.  Harmer, Observ., IV. vii. 320. The burnishing of gold.

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1879.  in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 299/2. The next process is burnishing—Steel tools are used.

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  b.  fig. c. concr. Metallic polish, luster.

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1780.  Burke, Election Sp. Bristol, Wks. III. 372. That our disgrace might want no sort of brightening and burnishing.

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1851.  Ruskin, Stones Venice, I. App. xvii. 393. You cannot perfectly see the form of a humming-bird, on account of its burnishing.

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  2.  transf. Of deer. Cf. BURNISH v.1 3.

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1611.  Cotgr., Frayouër, a Deeres burnishing of his head.

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1859.  Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., V. 518/2. The animals … rubbing them [i.e., the horns] against any hard substances…; this action is termed ‘burnishing.’

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