E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Varnish,
from the French vernis: Italian, ver’nice. Sir G. C. Lewis says the word is a corruption of Bereni’ce, famous for her amber hair, which was dedicated in the temple of Arsin’o, and became a constellation. (See BERENICE.)
, and became a constellation. (See B
