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veneer

Pronunciation: /vɪˈnɪə/
Translate veneer | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of veneer

noun

  • 1a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material:a fine-grained veneer [mass noun]:the ceiling was of maple veneer
  • a layer of wood used to make plywood.
  • [in singular] an attractive appearance that covers or disguises someone or something’s true nature or feelings:her veneer of composure cracked a little
  • 2 (also veneer crown) Dentistry a crown in which the restoration is placed over the prepared surface of a natural crown.

verb

[with object] (usually as adjective veneered)
  • cover (something) with a decorative layer of fine wood: a veneered cabinet (as noun veneering)he came here to learn veneering
  • cover or disguise (someone or something’s true nature) with an attractive appearance: he exuded an air of toughness, lightly veneered by the impeccably tailored suit

Origin:

early 18th century (earlier as fineer): from German furni(e)ren, from Old French fournir 'furnish'

veneer in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of veneer in the US English dictionary

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