Meanings
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1
noun
a liquid or resinous coating that dries to form a hard, smooth, glossy surface on wood, metal, or another material
The cabinet's black lacquer reflected the candlelight.
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2
noun
East Asian decorative work made by applying and often carving many layers of natural lacquer
The museum displayed a red lacquer box carved with clouds and dragons.
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3
verb
to coat or finish a surface with lacquer
The craftsperson lacquered the screen before adding gold decoration.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Borrowed through French lacque and Portuguese laca from Persian lak and Hindi lakh, ultimately Sanskrit laksha, a name associated with lac resin and the insects that produce it. The term broadened from natural Asian resin to several hard glossy finishes.