Definition of shellac
1 : purified lac usually prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and filtering and often bleached white
2 : a preparation of lac dissolved usually in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood filler and finish
3a : a composition containing shellac formerly used for making phonograph recordsb : an old 78 rpm phonograph record
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Origin and Etymology of shellac
1shell + lac
First Known Use: 1704
shellac
Definition of shellac
shellacked
;shellacking
transitive verb
1 : to coat or otherwise treat with shellac or a shellac varnish
2 : to defeat decisively
1876
First Known Use of shellac
1876
SHELLAC Defined for English Language Learners
shellac
playDefinition of shellac for English Language Learners
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: a clear liquid that dries into a hard coating and that is put on a surface to protect it
shellac
Definition of shellac for English Language Learners
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: to coat (something) with shellac
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: to defeat (a person or team) easily and completely
SHELLAC Defined for Kids
Definition of shellac for Students
: a varnish made from a material that is given off by an insect and that is dissolved usually in alcohol
Definition of shellac for Students
shellacked
;shellacking
: to coat with shellac
Learn More about shellac
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See words that rhyme with shellac Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shellac Spanish Central: Translation of shellac Nglish: Translation of shellac for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shellac
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