shellac
1. a yellowish resin secreted by the lac insect, esp a commercial preparation of this used in varnishes, polishes, and leather dressings
2. a varnish made by dissolving shellac in ethanol or a similar solvent
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Shellac
A wood finisher and resin used in varnish, which produces a transparent shiny surface; often used to enhance and protect wood grain.
Illustrated Dictionary of Architecture Copyright © 2012, 2002, 1998 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
shellac
[shə′lak] (materials)
A natural, alcohol-soluble, water-insoluble, flammable resin; made from lac resin deposited on tree twigs in India by the lac insect (Laccifer lecca) used as an ingredient of wood coatings.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
shellac
A resin extracted and purified from matter secreted by insects; dissolved in alcohol or a similar solvent in the manufacture of shellac varnish.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Shellac
a natural resin secreted by the lac insect, which parasitizes tropical and subtropical woody plants. Shellac apparently consists mainly of aliphatic polyhydroxy acids. It is freely soluble in alkalies and lower aliphatic alcohols, poorly soluble in benzene, and almost insoluble in gasoline, fats, and oils. Shellac is peeled off the tree bark, processed with hot water, melted, and filtered. It may be dark colored, orange, or light colored. Colorless shellac is obtained by bleaching the colored types with animal charcoal, bleaching powder, or sodium sulfate. Shellac has limited uses, principally in the manufacture of alcohol varnishes and polishes.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.