Middle English Dictionary Entry

polishen v.
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Entry Info

Forms polishen v. Also polish(e, pollish(en, -on, poleshe, polshe, police & pulish(e, pullishe, pul(l)iche, pulshe, pulche(n & (error) pelychoun; p. polished & polist; ppl. i)polished, polishet, i)polisht, pollisht, i)poleshed, poliched, polichet, polshed, polched, polised, polist, policed, pulished, pulisht, pulched, ipullished, pullishet, puleshed, i)pulshed & polsht, pulsht.
Etymology From OF stem poliss- of polir & ML polisāre.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To polish (wood, stone, metal, metal objects, etc.), burnish; smooth (wood); (b) ppl. polished, as adj.: polished, smoothed; also, bright, shining; also fig.; of an animal's coat of hair in spring: glossy [quot.: (c1410)]; polished throte, ?a smooth throat; ?a throat producing pleasant sounds; (c) ?to draw (a physical quality from sth.) by polishing; (d) to adorn (sth., oneself), beautify, decorate; (e) fig. to honor (sb.).
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2.
(a) To polish (words), refine (speech); (b) to gloss over (sins, treacherous acts).
Show 7 Quotations
3.
To remit (sin); cleanse (sb., oneself, of guilt); ppl. polished, absolved; blameless.
Show 5 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?c1400 PPl.Z (Bod 851)6.80 : Vch piler ys of penaunse, ypolsched ful smethe. Grace hatte the gateward, a god man for sethe.
Note: New spelling.
Note: Literally 'polished' (sense 1.(a)), but used in a fig. context that draws this example a bit toward sense 3.

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