lacquer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
  2. noun a hard glossy coating
  3. verb coat with lacquer
    • A lacquered box from China

WordNet

Lac"quer noun
Etymology
F. lacre a sort of sealing wax, Pg. lacte, fr. laca lac. See Lac the resin.
Definitions
  1. A varnish, consisting of a solution of shell-lac in alcohol, often colored with gamboge, saffron, or the like; -- used for varnishing metals, papier-maché, and wood. The name is also given to varnishes made of other ingredients, esp. the tough, solid varnish of the Japanese, with which ornamental objects are made. shell-lac = shellac; it is the prime spelling in this dictionary, though not found in MW10!
Lac"quer transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Lacquered ; present participle & verbal noun Lacquering
Definitions
  1. To cover with lacquer. "Lacquer'd chair." Pope.

Webster 1913