[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/polish/)

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# polish

noun (polish, polishes); verb (polish, polishes, polished, polishing)

«polish» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb) To rub something to make it smooth and shiny. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#m1)
2. (noun) A cream, liquid or wax used to make things shiny: «shoe polish», «nail polish». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#m2)
3. (verb) To improve something to make it better: «polish your story». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#m3)
4. (noun) A smooth shine. Note: «Polish» with a capital P means from Poland. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#m4)
5. To polish off something is to finish it quickly, such as eating all of a meal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life: polishing shoes, furniture, silver; nail polish. In school writing, you polish a draft by checking spelling and making it better. Safety: polish and nail polish remover are chemicals — keep them away from small children and fire. Phrases: «shoe polish», «polish off» (finish quickly), «polish up».

### Examples

- He polished his shoes until they shone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x1)
- Mum put on red nail polish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x2)
- Polish the table with a soft cloth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x3)
- Spend ten minutes polishing your story. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x4)
- He polished off the whole pizza. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x5)
- The old coin had a nice polish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x6)
- Keep nail polish remover away from little children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x7)
- You must have seen old Kerick polishing off a drove. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/#x8)

### Note

Mostly uncountable. Trap: «polish» (shiny, said «POL-ish») vs «Polish» (from Poland, said «POH-lish»). «Polish off» means eat or finish fast.

## In Jewish tradition

It means to make smooth and shining. In the Song of Songs the beloved is praised as polished ivory, and Isaiah's servant is a polished arrow hidden in God's quiver.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads the Song as love between God and Israel. The polished arrow is the servant of God, kept hidden until the right moment.

### Examples

- His hands are as rods of gold set with beryl; his body is as polished ivory overlaid with sapphires. (Writings SNG.5.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/polish/#x1)
- Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire; (Writings LAM.4.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/polish/#x2)
- And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me; and He hath made me a polished shaft, in His quiver hath He concealed me; (Prophets ISA.49.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/polish/#x3)

### Note

Mostly uncountable. Trap: «polish» (shiny, said «POL-ish») vs «Polish» (from Poland, said «POH-lish»). «Polish off» means eat or finish fast.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «polish» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/polish/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«polish» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/polish.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «polish» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/polish/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«polish» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/polish.html) on Mova free.