varnish tree

noun

Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut, kukui).

Similar
candlenutAleurites moluccanalacquer treeChinese lacquer treeJapanese lacquer treeJapanese varnish treeJapanese sumacToxicodendron vernicifluum
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Meanings

nounvarnish tree (plural varnish trees)

plural varnish trees · alternative varnish-tree

  1. Any of several species of trees that exude a resinous juice used in varnishing or lacquering.
    1. Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut, kukui).
    2. Koelreuteria paniculata (goldenrain tree).
    3. Semecarpus anacardium (marking-nut tree).
    4. Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Chinese lacquer tree).

Synonyms & antonyms

nounlarge tree native to southeastern Asia; the nuts yield oil used in varnishes; nut kernels strung together are used locally as candles

Similar
candlenutAleurites moluccana
Broader
angiospermous treeflowering tree

nounsmall Asiatic tree yielding a toxic exudate from which lacquer is obtained

Similar
lacquer treeChinese lacquer treeJapanese lacquer treeJapanese varnish treeJapanese sumacToxicodendron vernicifluumRhus verniciflua
Broader
poisonous plant
Also see
ailanthuscandlenutchinese lacquer treegolden rain treejapanese lacquer treejapanese sumaclacquer treetree of heaven

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

varnish tree. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varnish%20tree

MLA

“varnish tree.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varnish%20tree. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “varnish tree,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/varnish%20tree.

Source: varnish tree on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.