Shellac vs. Varnish — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Shellac and Varnish
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Compare with Definitions
Shellac
Shellac () is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish.
Varnish
Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain.
Shellac
A purified lac in the form of thin yellow or orange flakes, often bleached white and widely used in varnishes, paints, inks, sealants, and formerly in phonograph records.
Varnish
Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry
The wood was stained with a dark varnish
Several coats of varnish
Shellac
A thin varnish made by dissolving this substance in denatured alcohol, used to finish wood.
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Varnish
Apply varnish to
We stripped the floor and varnished it
Her toenails were varnished red
Shellac
An old phonograph record containing this substance, typically played at 78 rpm.
Varnish
A liquid that contains a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder and is applied to a surface to produce a hard, transparent finish after evaporation and curing.
Shellac
To coat or finish with shellac.
Varnish
The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this liquid
Wear dulled the floor's varnish.
Shellac
To strike repeatedly and severely; batter.
Varnish
Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.
Shellac
To defeat decisively.
Varnish
An often deceptive external appearance or outward show
"people through whom a native stupidity shines forth past any varnish of education or acculturation" (Ira Sher).
Shellac
A processed secretion of the lac insect, Coccus lacca; used in polishes, varnishes etc.
Varnish
To cover with varnish.
Shellac
A beating; a thrashing.
Varnish
To give a smooth and glossy finish to.
Shellac
(transitive) To coat with shellac.
Varnish
To give a superficial or deceptive appearance to
Varnish the truth.
Shellac
To beat; to thrash.
Varnish
A type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to leave a hard, transparent, glossy film.
Shellac
To inflict a heavy defeat upon.
Varnish
Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.
Shellac
Lac which has been reduced to a thin crust. See the Note under 2d Lac.
Varnish
(by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.
Shellac
A solution of shellac{1} in alcohol or other volatile solvent, used as a varnish.
Varnish
A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.
Shellac
A phonograph record, made of a material containing shellac; - no longer manufactured.
Varnish
(intransitive) To apply varnish.
Shellac
Lac purified by heating and filtering; usually in thin orange or yellow flakes but sometimes bleached white
Varnish
(transitive) To cover up with varnish.
Shellac
A thin varnish made by dissolving lac in ethanol; used to finish wood
Varnish
(transitive) To make something superficially or deceptively attractive
Varnish the report
Shellac
Cover with shellac;
She wanted to shellac the desk to protect it from water spots
Varnish
(transitive) To gloss over a defect.
Varnish
A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries, either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree, the influences of air and moisture.
Varnish
That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance.
The varnish of the holly and ivy.
Varnish
An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss.
And set a double varnish on the fameThe Frenchman gave you.
Varnish
To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces, when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table; to varnish a painting.
Varnish
To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt.
Close ambition, varnished o'er with zeal.
Cato's voice was ne'er employedTo clear the guilty and to varnish crimes.
Varnish
Paint that provides a hard glossy transparent coating
Varnish
Cover with varnish
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