Alcohol vs. Lacquer — What's the Difference?

In chemistry, alcohol is an organic compound that carries at least one hydroxyl functional group (−OH) bound to a saturated carbon atom. The term alcohol originally referred to the primary alcohol ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is used as a drug and is the main alcohol present in alcoholic drinks.

The term lacquer is used for a number of hard and potentially shiny finishes applied to materials such as wood or metal. These fall into a number of very different groups.

A colourless volatile flammable liquid which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars and is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel

Any of various clear or colored synthetic coatings made by dissolving nitrocellulose or other cellulose derivatives together with plasticizers and pigments in a mixture of volatile solvents and used to impart a high gloss to surfaces.

Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds, the simplest of which are derived from saturated hydrocarbons, have the general formula CnH2n+1OH, and include ethanol and methanol.

A glossy, resinous material, such as the processed sap of the lacquer tree, used as a surface coating.

A colorless volatile flammable liquid, C2H5OH, synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives, and intoxicating beverages. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol.

A finish that is baked onto the inside of food and beverage cans.

Intoxicating beverages containing ethanol considered as a group

To coat with lacquer.

Any of a class of organic compounds (such as ethanol) containing a hydroxyl functional group (-OH).

To give a sleek, glossy finish to.

(colloquial) Ethanol.

A glossy, resinous material used as a surface coating; either a natural exudation of certain trees, or a solution of nitrocellulose in alcohol, etc.

(uncountable) Beverages containing ethanol, collectively.

A similar finish, baked onto the inside of cans.

(obsolete) Any very fine powder.

To apply a lacquer to something or to give something a smooth, glossy finish.

An impalpable powder.

A varnish, consisting of a solution of shellac in alcohol, often colored with gamboge, saffron, or the like; - used for varnishing metals, papier-maché, and wood. The name is also given to varnishes made of other ingredients, esp. the tough, solid varnish of the Japanese, with which ornamental objects are made.

The fluid essence or pure spirit obtained by distillation.

To cover with lacquer.

Pure spirit of wine; pure or highly rectified spirit (called also ethyl alcohol or ethanol, CH3.CH2.OH); the spirituous or intoxicating element of fermented or distilled liquors, or more loosely a liquid containing it in considerable quantity. It is extracted by simple distillation from various vegetable juices and infusions of a saccharine nature, which have undergone vinous fermentation.

A black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish

A class of compounds analogous to vinic alcohol in constitution. Chemically speaking, they are hydroxides of certain organic radicals; as, the radical ethyl forms common or ethyl alcohol (C2H5.OH); methyl forms methyl alcohol (CH3.OH) or wood spirit; amyl forms amyl alcohol (C5H11.OH) or fusel oil, etc.

A hard glossy coating

A liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent;

Coat with lacquer;

Any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation