n.
Pronunciation: sh ə - ' lak
Function: noun
Etymology: 1 shell + lac
Date: 1704
1 : purified lac usually prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and filtering and often bleached white
2 : a preparation of lac dissolved usually in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood filler and finish
3 a : a composition containing shellac formerly used for making phonograph records b : an old 78 rpm phonograph record