Shellac
noun
A high-gloss, clear or colored material from insects dissolved in alcohol, for use in wood finishes and other applications.
He applied a coat of shellac to the wooden table to give it a shiny finish.
Often appears as...
- apply shellac
- coat of shellac
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A record disc made of a shellac compound.
He collects old shellac records from the 1930s.
Often appears as...
- shellac record
- old shellac
verb
To spread a layer of shellac over something, usually a surface.
He decided to shellac the wooden chair to protect it from the elements.
Often appears as...
- shellac the wood
- shellac furniture
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To defeat someone completely in a game or competition.
Our team was shellacked in yesterday's match.
Often appears as...
- shellac the opponent
- get shellacked
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A high-gloss, clear or colored material from insects dissolved in alcohol, for use in wood finishes and other applications.
He applied a coat of shellac to the wooden table to give it a shiny finish.
Often appears as...
- apply shellac
- coat of shellac
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A record disc made of a shellac compound.
He collects old shellac records from the 1930s.
Often appears as...
- shellac record
- old shellac
verb
To spread a layer of shellac over something, usually a surface.
He decided to shellac the wooden chair to protect it from the elements.
Often appears as...
- shellac the wood
- shellac furniture
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To defeat someone completely in a game or competition.
Our team was shellacked in yesterday's match.
Often appears as...
- shellac the opponent
- get shellacked
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Wood Finishing
Shellac is often used in woodworking to enhance the appearance and durability of the wood.
After sanding the shelf, I applied shellac for a smooth finish.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Vegan
Since shellac is derived from insects, it's not considered vegan and might be relevant in specific contexts.
I avoid furniture with shellac due to my vegan lifestyle.
Compare with
coatenamelfinishglazelacquerwarepolishresinvarnish
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Video examples
T. rex: Behind the Build...
pieces of fiberglass interconnecting in different varying molds this skin it's just amazing isn't it yeah I'm the plating it's so thick we've got the armored ship coated in plaster and sealed with shellac we coat it in about an inch of
Video examples
T. rex: Behind the Build...
pieces of fiberglass interconnecting in different varying molds this skin it's just amazing isn't it yeah I'm the plating it's so thick we've got the armored ship coated in plaster and sealed with shellac we coat it in about an inch of
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Steve Albini
American Musician
Shellac was asked to do a recreation of our first album, but we've always been a band that improvised our sets. That's critical to the way that we function on stage. Whatever the mood takes us on stage can vary from night to night with what you feel like playing.
Quote examples
Ry Cooder
American Musician
With country, it's hard to penetrate the thick layers of commercialism that have been applied like shellac coatings over the real thing.
Quote examples
Steve Albini
American Musician
Shellac was asked to do a recreation of our first album, but we've always been a band that improvised our sets. That's critical to the way that we function on stage. Whatever the mood takes us on stage can vary from night to night with what you feel like playing.
Quote examples
Ry Cooder
American Musician
With country, it's hard to penetrate the thick layers of commercialism that have been applied like shellac coatings over the real thing.
Example 1 of 2
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