Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Metal parts or fixtures made bright by polishing.
  • noun Wooden surfaces, especially on a boat, having a bright sheen from being varnished.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Polished metal fixtures, especially aboard a boat
  • noun The varnished or oiled wood trim aboard a boat

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Mercedes-Benz And a single stroke of brightwork divides the grille and midlines the prominent, enamel-like Mercedes star.

    Where Aggressive Meets Adorable 2011

  • And everything is swathed in glove leather and Alcantara, trimmed in a choice of three varieties of wood, bezeled in well-crafted aluminum brightwork and bathed in a kind of narcosis of ambient light.

    Hyundai's Ur-Luxury Horse of a Different Dolor Dan Neil 2011

  • A fantasia of knurled aluminum, polished brightwork, a door-to-door waistrail of walnut marquetry and piano-black fascia.

    Massive, but Not for the Masses Dan Neil 2011

  • Bentley The workspace from the driver's seat is exemplary: A fantasia of knurled aluminum, polished brightwork, a door-to-door waistrail of walnut marquetry and piano-black fascia.

    Hand-Made Hyper-Luxury 2011

  • Note the perfect bow of brightwork around the base of the windows and the matching cut lines, rising at the side marker and descending at the C-pillar.

    Mini's Hot Coupe: Drive It—If Your Pal Buys One Dan Neil 2012

  • In both cars a single strake of brightwork divides the grille and midlines the prominent, enamel-like Mercedes star.

    When Vroom Conquers Cuteness Dan Neil 2011

  • Meanwhile, these instruments create a virtual line across the front of the car, right at the level of the four-ring logo and, combined with the strakes of brightwork in the grille and brake ducts, the effect is to broaden, to exaggerate the horizontality of the car.

    The Better to Eat You With, Luxury Rivals DAN NEIL 2010

  • The lead characters are Joe and Sam, heroic Salvors operating from the M/V Triton in the North Atlantic stripping sunken frieghters of brightwork.

    John Ford meets Godzilla ~ update 2005

  • The lead characters are Joe and Sam, heroic Salvors operating from the M/V Triton in the North Atlantic stripping sunken frieghters of brightwork.

    The Sudden Curve: 2005

  • Reading William F. Buckley's piece "Aweigh" (July/August Atlantic) reminded me that before my books started getting published, I supported my writing addiction by refinishing brightwork on yachts.

    When George Meets John 2004

Comments

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  • "Anything reflective added to a car to enhance appearance. May also be called chrome" (from Wikipedia).

    August 25, 2007