with obj.
1- make the surface of (something) smooth and shiny by rubbing it擦, 擦亮, 抛光：
behind the bar the steward polished glasses busily.
在吧台后面, 服务生在忙着擦杯子。
1.1
- improve, refine, or add the finishing touches to改进, 使完美, 给…润色：
he's got to polish up his French for his job.
为了工作, 他必须得提高他的法语水平。
mass noun
1- a substance used to give something a smooth and shiny surface when rubbed in抛光剂, 上光剂：
a tin of shoe polish.
一听鞋油。
1.1
- in sing. an act of rubbing something to give it a shiny surface抛光, 擦光：
I could give the wardrobe a polish.
我会给衣柜抛抛光。
1.2
- smoothness or glossiness produced by rubbing or friction光滑, 光亮：
the machine refines the shape of the stone and gives it polish.
这台机器用以对石头形状加以雕琢并磨光。
1.3
- refinement or elegance in a person or thing优雅气质, 高雅格调：
you can't expect a country GP to have much polish.
你别指望一位乡村全科医师会有多少优雅气质。
派生词
polishable
adjectivepolisher
noun词源
Middle English: from Old French poliss-, lengthened stem of polir 'to polish', from Latin polire.
短语动词
polish something off
- finish or consume something quickly（飞快地）完成; 飞快地吃（或喝）完：
they polished off most of the sausages.
他们很快吃掉了大部分香肠。