shellac

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English

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Etymology

shell +‎ lac, calque of French laque en écailles (literally lac in scales/shells).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʃəˈlæk/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -æk

Noun

shellac (countable and uncountable, plural shellacs)

  1. A processed secretion of the lac insect, Coccus lacca; used in polishes, varnishes etc.
  2. (informal, US) A beating; a thrashing.

Synonyms

Translations

Verb

shellac (third-person singular simple present shellacs, present participle shellacking, simple past and past participle shellacked)

  1. (transitive) To coat with shellac.
  2. (informal, US, transitive) To beat; to thrash.
  3. (informal, US, transitive) To inflict a heavy defeat upon.
    • 1987, George F. Will, The New Season: A Spectator's Guide to the 1988 Election, Simon and Schuster, page 21:
      In 1964 Goldwater ran rambunctiously, flat-out against government. He got shellacked.
    • 1987, Tim McCarver, Ray Robinson, Oh, Baby, I Love It!, Villard Books, page 220:
      In another the Mets were shellacked, 9-1, with a stray ninth-inning home run by Strawberry after two outs, preventing a shutout.

Translations