Where does “polish” come from?

Polish comes from Middle English polishen, which derives from Old French polir meaning to make smooth or glossy.

polish (English): A substance used to polish; Cleanliness;...

Definitions

  1. A substance used to polish; Cleanliness;...

Ancestry of “polish”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishpolishen—
2Old Frenchpoliss-—
3Old Frenchpolir—
4Latinpolīre—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpelh₂-to approach
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpel-to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelh₂- →Every word from Old French poliss- →