burnish etymology

Etymology:

• Old French: burnir, "to polish, brighten"
• Latin: burnia, "burnished armor"
• Proto-Indo-European: *bher-, "to shine"

Meaning:

• To polish or brighten by rubbing
• To make smooth or glossy
• To enhance the luster or appearance of something

Origin:

The word "burnish" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *bher-, meaning "to shine." This root is also found in other words related to brightness, such as "brilliant," "burn," and "bronze."

In Latin, the root bher- evolved into the noun *burnia, which referred to burnished armor. This term was borrowed into Old French as burnir, which later entered English as "burnish."

Over time, the meaning of "burnish" has expanded to include not only polishing metal but also enhancing the appearance of other materials, such as wood, leather, and fabrics. It can also be used figuratively to describe making something appear more impressive or attractive.

burnish relate terms

• brown

  Etymology The word brown originates from the Old English word brun which meant dark

• burnish

  Etymology Old French burnir to polish brighten Latin burnia burnished armor Pr

• Barnard

  Etymology and Origin The surname Barnard is derived from the Middle English given name Ba

• bear

  Etymology and Origin of Bear Proto Indo European PIE bʰr̥tos or bʰortós meanin

• beaver

  Etymology The word beaver comes from the Old English word beofor which is thought to

• berserk

  Etymology The word berserk originates from Old Norse berserkr which is a compound of

• brown

  Etymology The word brown originates from the Old English word brun which meant dark

• Bruin

  Etymology The word bruin originates from the Middle Dutch word bruun meaning brown

• brunet

  Etymology The word brunet is derived from the French word brunet and the Latin word

• brunette

  Etymology The word brunette derives from the Old French word brunet which in turn c

• burnish

  Etymology Old French burnir to polish brighten Latin burnia burnished armor Pr

• Polish

  Etymology The word Polish is derived from the Latin word Polonia plural Poloni

• gloss

  Etymology From Middle English glose from Old French glose from Medieval Latin gl

• buff

  Etymology The word buff has various etymological roots Greek bouphalos bull fac

• limn

  Etymology The word limn comes from the Middle English word lumynen which is itself d

• furbish

  Etymology From Middle English furbysshen forbesshen to refurbish ultimately from

• radiance

  Etymology Latin radiare to emit rays From the Proto Indo European root reh₁d

• shine

  Etymology Old English scīnan verb Proto Germanic skīnanan verb Proto Indo Europe

• smooth

  Etymology The word smooth is derived from the Middle English word smoþe which in tu

• refulgence

• balance

  Etymology Middle English balaunce from Old French balance from Latin bilanx bilance