[f. as prec.]
1. One who varnishes; spec. one who makes a business or trade of varnishing.
1598. Florio, Inuernicatore, a varnisher.
1669. Pepys, Diary, 26 April. To Lilly’s, the Varnisher, who is lately dead, and his wife and brother keep up the trade.
1706. Stevens, Span. Dict., I. Barnizador, a Vernisher.
1723. Lond. Gaz., No. 6224/8. William Morgan,… Varnisher.
1804. P. Tingry (title), Painter and Varnisher’s Guide.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 745. These accidents can be repaired only by new strata of varnish, which render application to the varnisher necessary.
1864. Daily Tel., 7 April. Painters’ and varnishers’ shops.
fig. c. 1700. Pope, Imit. Earl Rochester, 21. With thee in private modest Dulness lies, And in thy bosom lurks in Thought’s disguise; Thou varnisher of Fools, and cheat of all the Wise!
2. slang. (See quot.)
1865. Slang Dict., 265. Varnisher, an utterer of false sovereigns.
