Fixative vs. Varnish — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Fixative and Varnish
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Compare with Definitions
Fixative
A liquid preservative applied to artwork, such as watercolor paintings or charcoal drawings.
Varnish
Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain.
Fixative
A solution used to preserve and harden fresh tissue for microscopic examination.
Varnish
Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry
The wood was stained with a dark varnish
Several coats of varnish
Fixative
A liquid mixed with perfume to prevent rapid evaporation.
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Varnish
Apply varnish to
We stripped the floor and varnished it
Her toenails were varnished red
Fixative
A substance that fixes, protects, or preserves.
Varnish
A liquid that contains a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder and is applied to a surface to produce a hard, transparent finish after evaporation and curing.
Fixative
(perfumery) The components of a perfume that prolong or bolster the notes, and may or may not be the base note itself.
Varnish
The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this liquid
Wear dulled the floor's varnish.
Fixative
Serving to fix or bind.
Varnish
Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.
Fixative
That which serves to set or fix colors or drawings, as a mordant.
Varnish
An often deceptive external appearance or outward show
"people through whom a native stupidity shines forth past any varnish of education or acculturation" (Ira Sher).
Fixative
A compound (such as ethanol or formaldehyde) that fixes tissues and cells for microscopic study
Varnish
To cover with varnish.
Fixative
A varnish dissolved in alcohol and sprayed over pictures to prevent smudging
Varnish
To give a smooth and glossy finish to.
Varnish
To give a superficial or deceptive appearance to
Varnish the truth.
Varnish
A type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to leave a hard, transparent, glossy film.
Varnish
Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.
Varnish
(by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.
Varnish
A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.
Varnish
(intransitive) To apply varnish.
Varnish
(transitive) To cover up with varnish.
Varnish
(transitive) To make something superficially or deceptively attractive
Varnish the report
Varnish
(transitive) To gloss over a defect.
Varnish
A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries, either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree, the influences of air and moisture.
Varnish
That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance.
The varnish of the holly and ivy.
Varnish
An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
And set a double varnish on the fameThe Frenchman gave you.
Varnish
To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces, when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table; to varnish a painting.
Varnish
To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt.
Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal.
Cato's voice was ne'er employedTo clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.
Varnish
Paint that provides a hard glossy transparent coating
Varnish
Cover with varnish
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