/ Dictionary / Index D desert varnish: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: des'ert var'nish Pronunciation: [key] the dark, lustrous coating or crust, usually of manganese and iron oxides, that forms on rocks, pebbles, etc., when exposed to weathering in the desert. Also called Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. desert rat deserve Related Content Daily Word Quiz: soporific Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language