Perhaps not a definitive answer, but useful clarification nonetheless. I sort of assumed there since some products call them selves varnish and some don't, not unlike lacquers, there might be something called "true" varnish like there is something called "true lacquer." It seems that the definition of varnish, however is even broader.

I think what may be most useful is for people to say the actual commercial name of the product they use and the application technique. I think of myself as pretty much of a noob at this, and that would be most helpful to me. Every approach seems to have up and downsides. Mine doesn't take much space or equipment, and is relatively free of harmful chemicals that one might breath or touch. On the other hand, it takes more than a month to cure before I can sand, and requires a ton of sanding as downsides. Upside is that it works in the crazy hot and humid climate of South Florida. Downside...did I mention all the sanding?