n. & v. (also lacker)
n. 1 a sometimes coloured liquid made of shellac dissolved in alcohol, or of synthetic substances, that dries to form a hard protective coating for wood, brass, etc. 2 a chemical substance sprayed on hair to keep it in place. 3 the sap of the lacquer-tree used to varnish wood etc.
v.tr. coat with lacquer. lacquer-tree an E. Asian tree, Rhus verniciflua, the sap of which is used as a hard-wearing varnish for wood. lacquerer n.
[ obs. F lacre sealing-wax, f. unexpl. var. of Port. laca LAC(1) ]