Eavan Boland

I began to write in an enclosed, self-confident literary culture. The poet's life stood in a burnished light in the Ireland of that time. Poets were still poor, had little sponsored work, and could not depend on a sympathetic reaction to their poetry. But the idea of the poet was honored.

Irish Poet

Roger Stone

Bass Weejuns are the Cordovan black or brown penny loafers originally called Norwegian Loafers, hence their name. Worn without socks in the spring and summer, they must be kept to a high-gloss polish and should become burnished with wax over time until they have a fine patina.

American Politician

David Rockefeller

I suspect that many corporations have begun to understand that they have an important role to play in the lives of their communities, and that allocating funds to support local groups helps them discharge that function and also burnish their image.

American Businessman

John Gregory Dunne

Anecdotes are factoids of questionable provenance, burnished to a high gloss, often set in gilded venues and populated with familiar names as background atmosphere, purged of ambiguity in the interest of keeping the narrative flowing smoothly.

American Novelist

Hope Jahren

There is nothing in the world more perfect than a slide rule. Its burnished aluminum feels cool against your lips, and if you hold it level to the light you can see God's most perfect right angle in each of its corners.

American Scientist

Ursula Burns

I'm less concerned about whether being a good corporate citizen burnishes a company's reputation. That's just an added benefit. I believe it's a responsibility, and there is no negotiating on responsibilities.

American Businesswoman

Travis Knight

We live in world that wants to burnish the rough edges and straighten the crooked line, but conformity doesn't beget greatness.

American Producer

Michael Gove

I absolutely haven't set out to burnish a reputation as a macho figure by picking fights.

British Politician

Burnish involves a physical process, often with tools like cloths.

Physical Action

The action often requires repeated strokes to achieve the desired shine.

Repeated Motion

The result of burnishing is usually visually noticeable – a glossy finish.

Visual Result

Burnish can be used metaphorically to describe improving non-physical things.

Metaphorical Use

The improvement implied by burnish is gradual and ongoing.

Progressive Change

This use of burnish often relates to how others view someone or something.

Public Perception

 In 1941, the burnished patina of an all-American baseball glove inspired the founder of Coach to create a new collection of handbags from the same luxuriously soft gloved-hand leather.

Leslie T. Chang: The...

 are incredible colours russets coppers burnished browns