Bur·nish v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burnished p. pr. & vb. n. Burnishing.]  To cause to shine; to make smooth and bright; to polish; specifically, to polish by rubbing with something hard and smooth; as, to burnish brass or paper.
 The frame of burnished steel, that east a glare
 From far, and seemed to thaw the freezing air.   --Dryden.
 Now the village windows blaze,
 Burnished by the setting sun.   --Cunningham.
 Burnishing machine, a machine for smoothing and polishing by compression, as in making paper collars.
 burnished
      adj : made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a
            sheen or glow; "bright silver candlesticks"; "a
            burnished brass knocker"; "she brushed her hair until
            it fell in lustrous auburn waves"; "rows of shining
            glasses"; "shiny black patents" [syn: bright, lustrous,
             shining, shiny]