Vernis

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A glossy finish applied to surfaces for protection and shine
2. A liquid used in art to provide a hard, reflective coat over paintings or other artworks
3. A type of transparent coating that enhances appearance while safeguarding underlying materials

Etymology: The French noun "vernis" is most likely linked to Berenice, an ancient port city in Egypt, though that connection is uncertain. The proposed route runs through Greek "berenikē" to Medieval Latin "veronix," a term for a resin used as a coating. French also gives us the verb "vernir," meaning to coat with varnish, which is built from the noun rather than the other way around. English took the noun over from French, and it appears there as "varnish," with the spelling adjusted to English habits. The English verb developed from that noun, so both the noun and verb in English follow the same path.