Underfinish

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. To put a preparatory layer or coating under a final surface finish to protect or prepare it
2. The process of layering a base treatment beneath a top finish for protection or appearance
3. Applying an initial protective or preparatory coat before the final finishing layer is added

Etymology: "Underfinish" is a straightforward compound: the prefix "under-" (meaning beneath or below, here in the sense of a preliminary layer) joined to "finish," which in painting and decorating means the final surface coat. Together they name the layer applied beneath that final coat. The word belongs to the vocabulary of trades such as painting, carpentry and cabinetry, where a sequence of coats is standard practice. The "under-" prefix is productive in English and attaches readily to many nouns and verbs to mark a lower or preparatory stage, as in "undercoat" and "underlay." Because the term is a transparent combination of two ordinary English elements, its meaning can be read directly from its parts.

Synonyms: incomplete finish, unfinished

Antonyms: finish, complete, polish