Firnis

== German == === Etymology === From Middle High German firnîs, vernîʒ, from Old French vernis. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfɪʁnɪs/ === Noun === Firnis m (strong, genitive Firnisses, plural Firnisse) (especially art) varnish (clear, hardening protective layer, typically from linseed oil, especially applied to paintings) (figurative) A metaphorical shallow layer meant to cover up disagreeable qualities. ==== Usage notes ==== Historically also used more generally for all kinds of varnishing, however in this sense it has largely been displaced by Lack, which in turn does not typically refer to varnish on oil paintings. ==== Declension ==== ==== Derived terms ==== firnissen ==== Related terms ==== Vernissage ==== Descendants ==== → Kashubian: fernës ==== See also ==== Lack Lasur === Further reading === “Firnis” in Duden online “Firnis” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache