gar|nish

gar|nish «GAHR nihsh», noun, verb.

–n.

1. something laid on or around food as a decoration or to add flavor: »

The turkey was served with a garnish of cranberries and parsley.

2. decoration; trimming: »

Figurative. to put on some garnish and dress of virtue to impose on the world (Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon).

3. British Slang. beer or the like bought by a new workman for his fellow workers.

4. Historical. a fee formerly paid in English jails by a new prisoner.

5. Archaic an outfit; dress.

╂[< verb]

–v.t.

1. to decorate or add flavor to (food).

2. to decorate; trim: »

Her coat was garnished with fur. Figurative. Letters in very fair grammatical Latin, garnished with quotations (William Stubbs).

SYNONYM(S): adorn.

3. Law. to warn or notify by a garnishment; garnishee.

╂[< Old French garniss-, stem of garnir, guarnir, warnir provide, furnish; defend < Germanic (compare Old High German warnôn provide, guard, warn)]

–gar´nish|er, noun.