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sandarac Definition

san·da·rac (san′də rak′)

noun

  1. a brittle, slightly aromatic, somewhat transparent, yellowish resin exuded from the bark of several African and Australian trees (genera Tetraclinus and Callitris) of the pine family, used esp. in varnishes and as incense
    1. a N African tree (Tetraclinus articulata) yielding this resin and a mahogany-colored, durable wood used esp. in building
    2. this wood

Etymology: L sandaraca < Gr sandarakē: prob. akin to Sans candra-raga, having the glow of the moon: for IE base see sandalwood

sandarac Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

powdered: To restore the writing surface, the abraded area is brushed with powdered sandarac, a resin from a North African conifer.