資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Thitsee \Thit"see\, n. [Written also theesee, and thietsie.]
1. (Bot.) The varnish tree of Burmah ({Melanorrh[oe]a
usitatissima}).
2. A black varnish obtained from the tree.
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}.]
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.
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
2. That which resembles varnish, either naturally or
artificially; a glossy appearance.
The varnish of the holly and ivy. --Macaulay.
3. An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any
act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman
gave you. --Shak.
{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 {R. 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}.
Melanorrhoea \Mel`a*nor*rh[oe]"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las,
-anos, black + ? to flow.] (Bot.)
An East Indian genus of large trees. {Melanorrh[oe]a
usitatissima} is the lignum-vit[ae] of Pegu, and yelds a
valuable black varnish.