veneer

façade, vernis

Apparence agréable qui cache les vrais sentiments ou le caractère d’une personne.

En anglais simple : An attractive outward appearance that hides someone’s real feelings or character.

• Her smile was a veneer.
• Beneath his veneer of politeness, he was furious.
• The crisis stripped away their veneer of respectability.

Comment l'utiliser : a veneer of something (His cheerful manner was a veneer of confidence.)

Synonymes : facade, front

Expressions courantes : veneer of politeness, thin veneer, veneer of respectability

placage

Fine couche de beau bois recouvrant un bois moins cher ou un autre matériau.

En anglais simple : A thin layer of attractive wood covering cheaper wood or another material.

• The table has an oak veneer.
• The veneer began to peel near the corner.
• They chose matching veneers for the cabinet doors.

Expressions courantes : wood veneer, oak veneer, veneer furniture

facette dentaire

Fine couche fixée sur la face visible d’une dent pour en améliorer l’apparence.

En anglais simple : A thin covering attached to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.

• The dentist fitted a veneer.
• Her new veneers made her teeth look even.
• A porcelain veneer covers the damaged front tooth.

Expressions courantes : dental veneer, porcelain veneer, veneer treatment

plaquer

Recouvrir un meuble ou un autre objet d’une fine couche de beau bois.

En anglais simple : To cover furniture or another object with a thin layer of attractive wood.

• We will veneer the table.
• The carpenter veneered the doors with oak.
• These panels were veneered before assembly.

Comment l'utiliser : veneer something with something (They veneered the cabinet with walnut.)

Expressions courantes : veneer a table, veneer with oak, veneer the surface

dissimuler, camoufler

Cacher quelque chose de mauvais sous une apparence de bonté ou de respectabilité.

En anglais simple : To hide something bad behind an appearance of goodness or respectability.

• She tried to veneer her cruelty.
• He veneered his selfishness with charming manners.
• Their harsh policies were veneered with talk of kindness.

Comment l'utiliser : veneer something with something (He veneered his greed with claims of public service.)

Synonymes : disguise, mask

Contraires : expose

Expressions courantes : veneer with kindness, veneer with respectability