What does it mean to burnish?

The term "burnish" primarily refers to the act of polishing or smoothing a surface to enhance its shine and appearance. This process often involves applying friction or using a tool to create a lustrous finish, typically on materials such as metal, wood, or leather. When something is burnished, it not only looks better but can also be improved in terms of durability and resistance to damage. This reflects a positive and restorative action, which is why "to polish something" is the correct interpretation of the term. The other choices describe actions that do not relate to enhancing or improving an object's appearance and are, therefore, not applicable to the meaning of "burnish."