Repolished

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To have improved the sheen of an object through a subsequent polishing process after its original luster has faded
2. To enhance the finish of a surface by reapplying polishing techniques to a previously polished item
3. Having had its surface renewed to a smoother, shinier condition through another round of polishing

Etymology: "Repolished" is the past tense and past participle of "repolish," which is simply "polish" with the prefix "re-" attached. The prefix comes from Latin and means "again" or "anew," so "repolish" literally means to polish again. The verb "polish" itself comes from Old French "polir" and Latin "polire," meaning to smooth or make glossy, so the core idea is unchanged: the word restores the sheen that wear or dulling has taken away. Because "re-" can attach to almost any verb of action, "repolish" is a straightforward formation rather than a word with a distinctive history of its own. Its meaning follows directly from its two parts, which is why it needs little more explanation than that.

Synonyms: refinished, buffed, cleaned, polished, shined