polish
Definitions
To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing
擦亮，抛光
To improve something by making small changes; to refine
润色，完善，使精进
A substance rubbed on a surface to make it shine
上光剂；亮光剂
Refinement or elegance of manner or style
优雅；精致；文雅
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedThe genuine member of this root. From Latin polīre 'to polish, make smooth,' through Old French poliss-. The literal act of rubbing to a shine extends to the figurative: you polish a draft, a skill, or your manners until they shine. The noun polish names both the shining substance and the resulting refinement.
Root pol still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Polish is the clearest case of a physical action becoming a mental one. The hand rubbing metal to a shine becomes the editor smoothing a sentence, the coach refining a routine. The same image — friction that removes roughness — sits behind every sense, literal or figurative.
Common Collocations
- 1.polish off迅速完成
- 2.shoe polish鞋油
- 3.nail polish指甲油
- 4.spit and polish（军中）擦拭整理
Example Sentences
- 1.
He polished his shoes until they gleamed.
- 2.
She spent the weekend polishing her thesis.
- 3.
A coat of polish brought the old table back to life.
- 4.
His presentation had real polish and confidence.