French polish

French polish
French French (fr[e^]nch), prop. a. [AS. frencisc, LL. franciscus, from L. Francus a Frank: cf. OF. franceis, franchois, fran[,c]ois, F. fran[,c]ais. See {Frank}, a., and cf. {Frankish}.] Of or pertaining to France or its inhabitants. [1913 Webster]

{French bean} (Bot.), the common kidney bean ({Phaseolus vulgaris}).

{French berry} (Bot.), the berry of a species of buckthorn ({Rhamnus catharticus}), which affords a saffron, green or purple pigment.

{French casement} (Arch.) See {French window}, under {Window}.

{French chalk} (Min.), a variety of granular talc; -- used for drawing lines on cloth, etc. See under {Chalk}.

{French cowslip} (Bot.) The {Primula Auricula}. See {Bear's-ear}.

{French fake} (Naut.), a mode of coiling a rope by running it backward and forward in parallel bends, so that it may run freely.

{French honeysuckle} (Bot.) a plant of the genus {Hedysarum} ({H. coronarium}); -- called also {garland honeysuckle}.

{French horn}, a metallic wind instrument, consisting of a long tube twisted into circular folds and gradually expanding from the mouthpiece to the end at which the sound issues; -- called in France {cor de chasse}.

{French leave}, an informal, hasty, or secret departure; esp., the leaving a place without paying one's debts.

{French pie} [French (here used in sense of ``foreign'') + pie a magpie (in allusion to its black and white color)] (Zo["o]l.), the European great spotted woodpecker ({Dryobstes major}); -- called also {wood pie}.

{French polish}. (a) A preparation for the surface of woodwork, consisting of gums dissolved in alcohol, either shellac alone, or shellac with other gums added. (b) The glossy surface produced by the application of the above.

{French purple}, a dyestuff obtained from lichens and used for coloring woolen and silken fabrics, without the aid of mordants. --Ure.

{French red} rouge.

{French rice}, amelcorn.

{French roof} (Arch.), a modified form of mansard roof having a nearly flat deck for the upper slope.

{French tub}, a dyer's mixture of protochloride of tin and logwood; -- called also {plum tub}. --Ure.

{French window}. See under {Window}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • French polish — French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss, deep colour and tough surface. It consists of applying many thin coats of french polish (shellac dissolved in alcohol) using a rubbing pad. The rubbing pad is made… …   Wikipedia

  • French polish — ► NOUN ▪ shellac polish that produces a high gloss on wood. ► VERB (french polish) ▪ treat (wood) with French polish …   English terms dictionary

  • French-polish — /french pol ish/, v.t. to finish or treat (a piece of furniture) with French polish. [1830 40] * * * French polˈish transitive verb To treat with French polish • • • Main Entry: ↑French …   Useful english dictionary

  • French polish — noun uncount a clear liquid that you put on wooden furniture to give it a shiny hard surface ╾ ,French polish verb transitive …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • French-polish — /french pol ish/, v.t. to finish or treat (a piece of furniture) with French polish. [1830 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • French polish — n [U] a clear liquid put on wooden furniture to protect it and make it shine …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • French polish — n. a preparation, usually shellac dissolved in alcohol, applied to furniture for a glossy finish …   English World dictionary

  • French polish — UK / US noun [uncountable] a clear liquid that you put on wooden furniture to give it a shiny hard surface Derived word: French polish UK / US verb transitive Word forms French polish : present tense I/you/we/they French polish he/she/it French… …   English dictionary

  • French-polish — /frɛntʃ ˈpɒlɪʃ/ (say french polish) verb (t) to finish (a piece of furniture) with French polish. –French polisher, noun –French polishing, noun …  

  • French polish — noun shellac polish that produces a high gloss on wood. verb (french polish) treat (wood) with French polish …   English new terms dictionary

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