Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

shellack

noun, verb

/ʃəˈlæk/

Definition

A resin used to create a hard, glossy finish on wood, and also a verb meaning to defeat decisively.

Examples

The carpenter applied shellack to the furniture to give it a shiny finish.
In the last game, our team was shellacked by the opponents, losing by twenty points.

Meaning

Shellack refers to a natural resin secreted by the lac bug, often used in woodworking and crafts for its protective qualities. As a verb, it means to crush or defeat someone thoroughly.