Lacquer
/ˈlæk.ər/noun
A hard, glossy coating or varnish used to finish surfaces.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Sanskrit-rooted term for a resinous sealing substance, and its journey through Persian and Portuguese trade networks helped turn a practical coating into a luxury finish.
Etymological Timeline
Sanskrit / Ancient India
Skt
lakṣā
“A red resinous dye and sealing substance made from lac insects and tree resin”
Medieval Persian
Persian
lak
“Lac, a resinous dye or sealing material”
16th Century
Portuguese
lacre
“Sealing wax or resinous varnish”
17th Century
French
laque
“A glossy varnish or lacquer”
Modern English
English
lacquer
“A hard glossy coating used on wood, metal, and other surfaces”