Etymology

shellac

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Today it means: A processed secretion of the lac insect, Coccus lacca; used in polishes, varnishes etc. Full definition →

French laque en écailles
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The story

  1. French · calque oflaque en écailles
  2. English todayshellac

From shell + lac, calque of French laque en écailles (literally “lac in scales/shells”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.