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

Always the eraser and the sandarac, the same inkstand, the same pens, and the same companions.

From Bouvard and Pécuchet A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life by Flaubert, Gustave

A good waterproof wood polish is made thus: 1 pint alcohol, 2 oz. gum benzoin, ¼ oz. gum sandarac, ¼ oz. gum anime.

From Handwork in Wood by Noyes, William

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

As both amber and sandarac had a tendency to darken the colours, "a lighter treatment," Mr Eastlake adds, "has rarely been successful without a modification of the vehicle itself."

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

Varnish.—Place four ounces of rectified spirit of wine in a wide-mouthed bottle; add one ounce of gum sandarac, a quarter of an ounce of gum mastic, and a drachm of camphor, all in powder.

From The Lady's Album of Fancy Work for 1850 by Unknown