verb (used with object)
- 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.
- to polish.
verb (tr)
- to make bright by polishing; burnish
- (often foll by up) to improve the appearance or condition of; renovate; restore
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.