furbish

[fur-bish] /ˈfɜr bɪʃ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to restore to freshness of appearance or good condition (often followed by up):
to furbish a run-down neighborhood; to furbish up one's command of a foreign language.
2.
to polish.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English furbishen < Middle French forbiss-, long stem of forbir to polish, clean < Germanic; compare Old High German furban
Related forms
furbisher, noun
unfurbished, adjective
Examples from the web for furbish
  • Students in the program will collect the hardware and re-furbish and update them.
British Dictionary definitions for furbish

furbish

/ˈfɜːbɪʃ/
verb (transitive)
1.
to make bright by polishing; burnish
2.
(often foll by up) to improve the appearance or condition of; renovate; restore
Derived Forms
furbisher, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French fourbir to polish, of Germanic origin
Word Origin and History for furbish
v.

late 14c. (implied mid-13c. in surname Furbisher), from Old French forbiss-, present participle stem of forbir "to polish, burnish; mend, repair" (12c., Modern French fourbir), from a Germanic source (cf. Old High German furban "to polish"), from PIE root *prep- "to appear." Related: Furbished; furbishing.