Description
A resinous substance excreted by the female of the lac insect, Laccifer lacca, native to India. The insects primarily deposit lac on the twigs and soft new branches of several varieties of soapberry and acacia trees, such as the sacred fig, Ficus religiosa, found in India, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and elsewhere in southeast Asia. Lac was used as early as about 1200 BCE in India. Shellac and lac dye were imported to Europe in the 17th century. The resin coated twigs, also called sticklac, undergoes several processing steps to extract useful components. Lac is used in the manufacture of varnishes (shellac), sealing wax (lac wax) and red colorants (lac dye).
Synonyms and Related Terms
Laccifer lacca; Coccus lacca; gomme laque (Fr.); laca (Esp., Port.); lacca (It); lac resin; sticklac; lack; lacca; shellac
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Last updated on: 3/12/2010 9:59:43 AM
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