copal

[ koh-puhl, -pal ]

noun

1. a hard, lustrous resin obtained from various tropical trees and used chiefly in making varnishes.

copal

/ -pæl; ˈkəʊpəl /

noun

1. a hard aromatic resin, yellow, orange, or red in colour, obtained from various tropical trees and used in making varnishes and lacquers

Word History and Origins

Origin of copal¹

1570–80; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl copalli

Word History and Origins

Origin of copal¹

C16: from Spanish, from Nahuatl copalli resin

Example Sentences

She resembled a fine old wainscotted painting with the face and features shining through a thick incrustation of copal varnish.

From Project Gutenberg

Whistler told us that he used a medium composed of copal, mastic, and turpentine.

From Project Gutenberg

Next day we reach Coquilhatville early and after taking some rubber and gum copal on board leave in the afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

This, though M. Merimée confesses it does not resemble it in consistence, he still will have to be copal.

From Project Gutenberg

We spoke in the commencement of this paper, of the "Gummi Fornis," which M. Merimée concluded to be copal.

From Project Gutenberg