The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Melanorrhoea \Mel`a*nor*rhoe"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las,
me`lanos, black + ? to flow.] (Bot.)
An East Indian genus of large trees. Melanorrh[oe]a
usitatissima is the lignum-vitae of Pegu (in Burma), and
yields a valuable black varnish.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Thitsee \Thit"see\, n. [Written also theesee, and thietsie.]
1. (Bot.) The varnish tree of Burmah (Melanorrhoea
usitatissima).
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2. A black varnish obtained from the tree.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Varnish \Var"nish\, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium;
akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to
glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See
Vitreous.]
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1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous
matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a
brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries,
either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous
part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful
gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree,
the influences of air and moisture.
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Note: According to the sorts of solvents employed, the
ordinary kinds of varnish are divided into three
classes: spirit, turpentine, and oil varnishes.
--Encyc. Brit
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2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
artificially; a glossy appearance.
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The varnish of the holly and ivy. --Macaulay.
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3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any
act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
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And set a double varnish on the fame
The Frenchman gave you. --Shak.
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Varnish tree (Bot.), a tree or shrub from the juice or
resin of which varnish is made, as some species of the
genus Rhus, especially Rhus vernicifera of Japan. The
black varnish of Burmah is obtained from the
Melanorrh[oe]a usitatissima, a tall East Indian tree of
the Cashew family. See Copal, and Mastic.
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