/ ʃəˈlæk; NAmE ; ˈʃelæk/ noun , verb
■ noun
[ U ] a natural substance used in making varnish to protect surfaces and make them hard
■ verb ( -ck- ) [ vn ]
1.
to cover sth with shellac
2.
[ usually passive ] ( NAmE , informal ) to defeat sb very easily :
The Republicans got shellacked in the elections.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from shell + lac , translating French laque en écailles lac in thin plates.