lac·quer / ˈlakər/ • n. 1. a liquid made of shellac dissolved in alcohol, or of synthetic substances, that dries to form a hard protective coating for wood, metal, etc.2. the sap of the lacquer tree used to varnish wood or other materials. ∎  decorative objects made of wood coated with lacquer: [as adj.] a small lacquer box. • v. [tr.] [often as adj.] (lacquered) coat with lacquer: the lacquered Chinese table.DERIVATIVES: lac·quer·er n.

lacquer Varnish used for ornamental or protective coatings; it forms a film by loss of solvent through evaporation. Lacquer is usually composed of a cellulose derivative in combination with a resin.

lacquer, U.S. lacker †lac (the dye) XVI; varnish made from a solution of shellac in alcohol XVII. — F. †lacre kind of sealing-wax, Sp., Pg. lacre; app. unexpl. var. or extension of Sp., Pg. laca LAC.

lacquer With reference to canned foods, a layer of gum and gum resin coated on to tinplate and hardened with heat. The layer of lacquer protects the tin lining from attack by acid fruit juices.