Burnish — Defs

01 v. t. To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish …

imp. & p. p. Burnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Burnishing

1.
To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper.
“The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air.” — Dryden.

“Now the village windows blaze, Burnished by the setting sun.” — Cunningham.

Phrases & compounds

Burnishing machine — a machine for smoothing and polishing by compression, as in making paper collars.

02 v. i. To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large.

1.
To shine forth; to brighten; to become smooth and glossy, as from swelling or filling out; hence, to grow large.
“A slender poet must have time to grow, And spread and burnish as his brothers do.” — Dryden.

“My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell.” — Herbert.

03 n. The effect of burnishing; gloss; brightness; luster.