lacquer

American  

[lak-er] / ˈlæk ər /

Or lacker

noun

1. a protective coating consisting of a resin, cellulose ester, or both, dissolved in a volatile solvent, sometimes with pigment added.

2. any of various resinous varnishes, especially a resinous varnish obtained from a Japanese tree, Rhus verniciflua, used to produce a highly polished, lustrous surface on wood or the like.

3. Also called lacquerware.  Also called lacquer ware,.  ware, especially of wood, coated with such a varnish, and often inlaid.

   They collected fine Japanese lacquers.

4. Slang. any volatile solvent that produces euphoria when inhaled.

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verb (used with object)

1. to coat with lacquer.

2. to cover, as with facile or fluent words or explanations cleverly worded, etc.; obscure the faults of; gloss (often followed byover ).

   The speech tended to lacquer over the terrible conditions.

lacquer British  

/ ˈlækə /

noun

1. a hard glossy coating made by dissolving cellulose derivatives or natural resins in a volatile solvent

2. a black resinous substance, obtained from certain trees, used to give a hard glossy finish to wooden furniture

3. Also called: varnish tree.  an E Asian anacardiaceous tree, Rhus verniciflua, whose stem yields a toxic exudation from which black lacquer is obtained

4. Also called: hair lacquer.  a mixture of shellac and alcohol for spraying onto the hair to hold a style in place

5. art decorative objects coated with such lacquer, often inlaid

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verb

1. (tr) to apply lacquer to

Other Word Forms

• lacquerer
  noun
• relacquer
  verb (used with object)
• unlacquered
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lacquer

1570–80; earlier leckar, laker < Portuguese lacre, lacar, unexplained variant of laca < Arabic lakk < Persian lâk lac ¹

Explanation

Lacquer is a clear liquid that is painted on a surface and dries hard and shiny. Lacquer can be used to protect wood. Wooden furniture or art objects made from wood are sometimes coated with lacquer. The lacquer makes the wood glossy and protects it from scratches and nicks. In Eastern Asia, there is a tradition of making decorative objects called "lacquerware," boxes, buttons, and other items that are made of wood and coated in lacquer. Lacquer comes from a now-obsolete French word, lacre, a type of sealing wax, and is ultimately rooted in the Sanskrit laksha, "red dye."

Example Sentences

Lacquer is a popular choice for those looking for a modern, sleek vibe.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

Lacquer thinner is a powerful solvent, and both the liquid and the fumes are flammable.

From Washington Post • Jan. 9, 2022

They are offered in three different formulas: GelColor, Infinite Shine, and Nail Lacquer.

From The Verge • Jan. 4, 2022

“L.A. is about fame and being in the spotlight. Both of these elements can be found in the Dior Addict Lacquer Plump collection.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2018

Lacquer for small arms, or for water-proof paper.

From Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. by United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance

Related Words

• glaze
• varnish