Vernis
/vɛʁ.ni/noun
A glossy varnish or lacquer finish, especially on wood or nails.
Did you know?French vernis comes from Late Latin virmis/vitrum? Actually the standard etymology is from Old French vernis, ultimately from Medieval Latin vernix, a resinous coating; the modern beauty-world sense of “nail polish” is a much newer glamour upgrade.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin
Latin
vernix
“A resinous or protective coating; varnish.”
Old French
Old French
vernis
“Varnish; a glossy coating.”
16th Century
French
vernis
“A protective or decorative glaze applied to surfaces.”
Modern English
English
varnish
“A liquid applied to a surface to form a hard, glossy protective film.”
Explore more surprising origins