Overpolish

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. To polish a surface beyond what is needed or desirable, causing a loss of detail or a harmful effect
2. Applying excessive polishing to an object so that it may become damaged or lose its original finish
3. The act of overly refining a surface through polishing, which can lead to deterioration or an unnatural shine

Etymology: "Overpolish" is a plain compound: the prefix "over-", meaning excessively or too much, attached to "polish." The verb "polish" has a long history of its own, coming into English from Old French "polir" and ultimately from Latin "polire," meaning to smooth, make smooth, or furbish. Its early sense was entirely physical, a matter of rubbing a surface until it gleamed, and the figurative sense of refining manners or style grew from that. Adding "over-" to a verb is a productive English pattern, and "overpolish" follows it exactly: to polish something beyond the point of good effect. Its meaning is therefore literal and immediate, which is why it is easy to picture. The word can describe a silver spoon buffed until it looks plastic, or a prose style so smoothed that its character has been rubbed away.

Synonyms: overbuff, overshine, overfinish

Antonyms: underpolish, neglect, roughen