shellac etymology

Etymology:

  • Early 17th century: originally denoted "a gummy substance that forms on certain Asian trees and bushes infected by scale insects"
  • 1819: used to refer to the polished surface of wood or other materials coated with a hard and lustrous finish

Meaning:

Shellac is:

  • A natural material secreted by certain scale insects (e.g., Laccifer lacca)
  • A hard, glossy finish applied to wood, furniture, and other objects
  • A type of French polish made with shellac dissolved in alcohol

Origin:

  • The term "shellac" derives from the Sanskrit word "shellaca," meaning "lac resin."
  • Lac resin is a natural substance produced by female lac scale insects that infest trees in Southeast Asia.
  • The resin is collected from the branches and dried, forming thin flakes that can be used for various purposes.
  • In the early 17th century, European explorers brought shellac back from India, where it was used as a protective coating for wood and other materials.
  • The use of shellac as a furniture finish became popular in the 18th century and remains widely used today.

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