Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Vernis,) Verneis, -ish, Warneis, Varnish, v. [ME and e.m.E. vernysshe (1530), vernish (1571), varnish (1597), p.p. yvarnished (Trevisa), OF verniss(i)er, vernic(i)er.] tr. a. To varnish, to coat with varnish. b. fig. To colour as with varnish, to stain. c. fig. To put a gloss on, disguise (something). —a. 1566 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 151.
[The cutler will teach his prentice] to gilt and to mak giltin wattir … and to warneis quhingaris and knyffis, and attour sall leir him all the poynttis that belongs to giltin 1586 Whitelaw Sc. Arms Makers 126.
[Ordered not to] make skalberts or verneis gairdis nor graith swords with unfreemen —b. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 240/737.
The sea was vernished red with blood, And fishes poysond all 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 244/814.
The generall boldned then with spite, And vernisht red with shame, Did rather chuse to leese his life Then tine his spreading fame —c. a1649 Drummond Wks. (1711) 198.
Wicked counsels may be varnished with the shining oil of sly pretences