Dictionary
pol•ish
Pronunciation: (pol'ish), [key]—
v.t.
1. to make smooth and glossy, esp. by rubbing or friction:
to polish a brass doorknob.
2. to render finished, refined, or elegant:
His speech needs polishing.
—
v.i.
1. to become smooth and glossy through polishing:
a flooring that polishes easily.
2. Archaic.to become refined or elegant.
3. polish off, Informal.
a. to finish or dispose of quickly:
They polished off a gallon of ice cream between them.
b. to subdue or get rid of someone:
The fighter polished off his opponent in the first round.
4. polish up, to improve; refine:
She took lessons to polish up her speech.
—
n.
1. a substance used to give smoothness or gloss:
shoe polish.
2. the act of polishing.
3. state of being polished.
4. smoothness and gloss of surface.
5. superiority of manner or execution; refinement; elegance:
the polish of a professional singer. Po•lish
Pronunciation: (pō'lish), [key]—
adj.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Poland, its inhabitants, or their language.
—
n.
a Slavic language, the principal language of Poland.
Abbr.: Pol
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
