sandarac

American  

[san-duh-rak] / ˈsæn dəˌræk /

noun

1. a coniferous tree, Tetraclinis articulata (Callitrus quadrivalvis ), native to northwestern Africa, yielding a resin and a fragrant, hard, dark-colored wood much used in building.

2. the brittle, usually pale-yellow, faintly aromatic resin exuding from the bark of this tree: used chiefly as incense and in making varnish.

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sandarac British  

/ ˈsændəˌræk /

noun

1. Also called: sandarac tree.  either of two coniferous trees, Tetraclinis articulata of N Africa or Callistris endlicheri of Australia, having hard fragrant dark wood: family Cupressaceae

2. a brittle pale yellow transparent resin obtained from the bark of this tree and used in making varnish and incense

3. Also called: citron wood.  the wood of this tree, used in building

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Etymology

Origin of sandarac

1350–1400; Middle English sandaracha < Latin sandaraca < Greek sandarákē realgar, beebread

Example Sentences

One ounce white rosin; one half ounce gum sandarac; one half ounce Prussian blue, in fine powder.

From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous

Rembrandt, from motives of economy, may have employed the scarcely less durable common "vernix" or sandarac oil varnish; and for certain effects may have reckoned on its tint.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847 by Various

To imitate ground glass, use a composition of sandarac, 2 1/2 ounces; mastic, 1/2 ounce; ether, 24 ounces; and benzine, 16 ounces.

From Practical Mechanics for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough

Other gums, as mastic, dammar, sandarac, and even resin are sometimes mixed with copal to cheapen the product or to cause more rapid drying.

From Handwork in Wood by Noyes, William

The translator, in a note, offers a conjecture, not without its probability, that it may have been sandarac, the "Vernice da Scrivere" of Cennino, and quotes Raffaello Borghini in his "Reposo."

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 357, June, 1845 by Various