poli-

Someone who tries to get the approval and the friendship of someone who is in authority with praise or flattery: The executive of the company, Mr. Smithson, had many apple polishers who were trying to gain favor with him by using compliments and expressing admiration; even when such actions were not sincere.

The following cartoon is one example of an apple polisher!

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A variety of liquids which are used to color or to paint fingernails and even toenails: There are several colors of nail polishes; and there are even special solutions that can be used to remove each kind of nail polish.

Marie used a special pink nail polish most of the time because it was her favorite color.

1. A material or substance that is used to make a glazed and varnished surface when it is rubbed on the top of something: Brian was looking for more polish so he could shine his shoes.

Mr. Gregory, the salesman, made sure that all of the available wooden furniture in the store was shiny with the best polish available.

2. A good quality that comes from efforts or good practices: The movie star still has the polish in the film that people expected to see.
3. An action that involves making something glossy: Lance, the artist, gave his statue another polish before the museum opened the exhibition for the public.

1. To make the surface of something smooth and lustrous by rubbing it: Timothy and Gregory polished their shoes before going to the dance.

Mike and his sister were polishing the silverware in preparation for the family banquet for the following day.

2. To refine, to improve, or to add the finishing touches to something by making it better: Joe's son needs to polish up his German before he takes his exam in school in the ensuing week.

The musical group polished up some new songs in preparation for the performance that was coming soon.

3. Etymology: from Old French poliss- and polir-, "to polish, to decorate"; from Latin polio, "to make smooth, to decorate, to embellish"; figuratively, "to refine, to improve".

1. Descriptive of anything that is made to be sleek and gleaming: The actress had brightly polished fingernails which attracted a lot of attention.

The banquet tables were carefully set up with polished drinking glasses and silverware.

2. Referring to a person who is skillful or impressive: The author, Mrs. Jackson, was congratulated for having written a more polished short story than those she had published previously.

Equipment or device that is used to to make a floor's surface varnished and bright: The cleaning personnel were using polishers to make the dancing area glassy and glowing for the TV competition of dancers.

1. Having and showing good manners or respect for other people: Jim told his sister that her children are very polite because they behave so well with other people.

The moderator of the TV program reminded her guests that it isn't polite to interrupt other guests when they are talking.

The actress received some polite applause from the audience despite the fact that she made some blunders during the live performance.

2. Socially proper or correct; such as when speaking: Speech that is not offensive and which can be used in various situations can be referred to as being polite.

There are some words which should not be expressed in polite company; particularly with people who expect good manners and decent speech.

3. Etymology: from Latin politus, "elegant, refined, accomplished"; literally, "polished"; from Latin polire, "to polish, to make smooth".

Relating to those who show conduct that is respectful and considerate of another person: When the visitors thought Mary, the hostess, was wrong in her political condemnation of the mayor, Mr. Black, they politely regarded her right to express her personal feelings.

A quality of adjusting well with other people: Out of politeness, the saleswoman suggested that the dress the customer was looking at might not be as attractive as those in another section that had a greater variety of choices.

1. A formal etiquette or respectful behavior and genteel courtesy: When Sarah went to the final dance at the end of her ballroom-dancing lessons, she wore her best dress, matching shoes and gloves because she was striving to perform the politesse that she learned during her dancing sessions.
2. Etymology: from French, from Old French, "cleanliness"; from Italian pulitezza, politezza, from Latin pulire, "to polish, to clean".