- veneer (n.)
- 1702, from German Furnier, from furnieren "to cover with a veneer, inlay," from French fournir "to furnish, accomplish," from Middle French fornir "to furnish," from a Germanic source (compare Old High German frumjan "to provide;" see furnish). From German to French to German to English. Figurative sense of "mere outward show of some good quality" is attested from 1868.
- veneer (v.)
- 1728 (earlier fineer, 1708), from German furnieren (see veneer (n.)). Related: Veneered; veneering.
