noun
Uncommon
lac
lak
Lac (noun) means a resin-like substance secreted by certain scale insects, used to make lacquer and shellac. Example: “Traditional shellac is made by processing raw lac harvested from tree branches.”
noun
1
A resin-like substance secreted by certain scale insects, used to make lacquer and shellac.
"Traditional shellac is made by processing raw lac harvested from tree branches."
How to use lac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA natural resin used to make varnish and shellac, harvested from insects on trees.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "lack" (an absence of something) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- lacs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Traditional shellac is made by processing raw _____ harvested from tree branches.
Etymology
From Hindi/Urdu lākh, ultimately from Sanskrit lākṣā; a doublet of "lacquer."
Frequently asked questions
What does “lac” mean?
The word “lac” means a resin-like substance secreted by certain scale insects, used to make lacquer and shellac. In plain terms, a natural resin used to make varnish and shellac, harvested from insects on trees.
How do you pronounce “lac”?
“Lac” is pronounced lak (/læk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lac” in a sentence?
Here is “lac” used in a sentence: “Traditional shellac is made by processing raw lac harvested from tree branches.”
What part of speech is “lac”?
“Lac” is a noun.
Where does the word “lac” come from?
The word “lac” comes from Sanskrit. From Hindi/Urdu lākh, ultimately from Sanskrit lākṣā; a doublet of "lacquer.".
Is “lac” a common word?
“Lac” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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