Definitions for garnishˈgɑr nɪʃ

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

gar•nishˈgɑr nɪʃ(v.t.)

to provide or supply with something ornamental; decorate.
to provide (a food) with something that adds flavor, decorative color, etc.:
garnished the punch with fruit.
Category: Law
Ref: garnishee .
(n.)something placed around or on a food or in a beverage to add flavor, decorative color, etc.
adornment; decoration.
Chiefly Brit. a fee formerly demanded of a new convict or worker by the warden, boss, or fellow prisoners or workers.
Category: British

Origin of garnish:

1300–50; < OF garniss- (extended s. of garnir, guarnir to furnish < Gmc)

Princeton's WordNet

garnish(noun)
something (such as parsley) added to a dish for flavor or decoration
garnish(verb)
any decoration added as a trimming or adornment
garnishee, garnish(verb)
take a debtor's wages on legal orders, such as for child support
"His employer garnished his wages in order to pay his debt"
trim, garnish, dress(verb)
decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods

Wiktionary

garnish(Noun)
a set of dishes, often pewter, containing a dozen pieces of several types.
garnish(Noun)
pewter vessels in general.
garnish(Verb)
To decorate with ornamental appendages; to set off; to adorn; to embellish; as, all within with flowers was garnished.
garnish(Verb)
To ornament, as a dish, with something laid about it; as, a dish garnished with parsley.
garnish(Verb)
To furnish; to supply.
By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. (Job 26:13, KJV)
garnish(Verb)
To fit with fetters.
garnish(Verb)
To warn by garnishment; to give notice to; to garnishee.

Origin: From garnischen, from garnir, stem of certain forms of the verb garnir, guarnir, warnir, from a conflation of Old and , from warnijanan and warnōnan; both from wer-. Cognate with wiernan and warnian. More at warn.

Webster Dictionary

Garnish(verb)
to decorate with ornamental appendages; to set off; to adorn; to embellish
Garnish(verb)
to ornament, as a dish, with something laid about it; as, a dish garnished with parsley
Garnish(verb)
to furnish; to supply
Garnish(verb)
to fit with fetters
Garnish(verb)
to warn by garnishment; to give notice to; to garnishee. See Garnishee, v. t
Garnish(noun)
something added for embellishment; decoration; ornament; also, dress; garments, especially such as are showy or decorated
Garnish(noun)
something set round or upon a dish as an embellishment. See Garnish, v. t., 2
Garnish(verb)
fetters
Garnish(verb)
a fee; specifically, in English jails, formerly an unauthorized fee demanded by the old prisoners of a newcomer