Polishings

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. The act of making a surface smooth and shiny through rubbing or the application of a substance
2. Refining or improving the quality of something, enhancing its appearance or effectiveness
3. A process of adding a final layer or finish to an item to achieve a desired aesthetic or functional result

Etymology: "Polishings" is the plural of "polishing," the noun form of "polish," so it refers to the bits or residues removed during the act of polishing, or to repeated acts of it. Its origin lies in the verb "polish," which is the source to trace. Following the instruction to keep inflected forms brief, the plural adds nothing new to the history of the root word beyond what "polish" already carries.

Synonyms: buffings, shining, smoothing, finishing, glossing

Antonyms: roughening, scratching, marring