Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Polish \Pol"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polished}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Polishing}.] [F. polir, L. polire. Cf. {Polite}, {-ish}]
   1. To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to
      burnish; to overspread with luster; as, to polish glass,
      marble, metals, etc.

   2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, coarseness, or
      rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to polish
      life or manners. --Milton.

   {To polish off}, to finish completely, as an adversary.
      [Slang] --W. H. Russell.