Repolishing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process of polishing something again to bring back its original shine or smooth surface
2. A repeated polishing action that renews the finish of an object by smoothing and shining it once more
3. The act of restoring an item’s gloss or smoothness through a second or subsequent polishing treatment

Etymology: This is a regular formation: the prefix "re-", meaning "again" or "anew", attached to "polish". "Polish" itself comes from the Latin "polire", "to make smooth or bright by rubbing", which passed into English through Old French, so the core idea is buffing a surface until it gleams. Adding "re-" simply repeats that action, giving "repolish" the sense of polishing something a second time, often after it has dulled, been damaged, or simply needs another pass. The "-ing" ending is the ordinary suffix that turns the verb into the form used here, so the word carries no separate history of its own beyond its two parts. Its meaning follows directly from them: the work of going over a surface with polish once more.

Synonyms: refinishing, restoring

Antonyms: damaging, scratching