shellack

Variant of shellac

shellac definition

shel·lac or shellack shel·lack′ (s̸hə lak′)

noun

  1. refined lac, a resin usually produced in thin, flaky layers or shells and used in making varnish, phonograph records, insulating materials, etc.
  2. a thin, usually clear kind of varnish containing this resin and alcohol

Etymology: shel(l) + lac, used as transl. of Fr laque en écailles, lac in fine sheets

transitive verb shellacked -·lacked′, shellacking -·lack′·ing

  1. to apply shellac to; cover or varnish with shellac
  2. ☆ Slang
    1. to beat
    2. to defeat decisively

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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