varnish tree

varnish tree
1. any of various trees yielding sap or other substances used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua, of Japan.
2. an Asian tree, Koelreuteria paniculata, of the soapberry family, having showy clusters of yellow flowers from 12 to 18 in. (30 to 46 cm) long, and papery, brilliantly colored pods with black seeds, grown as an ornamental.
[1750-60, Amer.]

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▪ tree group
also called  Japanese Varnish Tree, Lacquer Tree, or Wood Oil Tree,  

      any of various trees whose milky juice is used to make a varnish or lacquer. The term is applied particularly to an Asian tree (Rhus verniciflua), related to poison ivy, that is highly irritating to the skin. On being tapped, the tree exudes a thick, milky emulsion that was possibly used as the first drying oil; it has the peculiar property of drying only in a moist atmosphere. From this exudate comes the lacquer used to produce the highly polished woodenware of China and Japan with hard and durable coats unaffected by water.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Varnish tree — Varnish Var nish, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium; akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See {Vitreous}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • varnish tree — n. any of a number of trees whose sap or juice can be made into a varnish or LACQUER (n. 2) …   English World dictionary

  • varnish tree — noun 1. large tree native to southeastern Asia; the nuts yield oil used in varnishes; nut kernels strung together are used locally as candles • Syn: ↑candlenut, ↑Aleurites moluccana • Hypernyms: ↑angiospermous tree, ↑flowering tree • Member… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Varnish tree — The name varnish tree could refer to two species of trees:*The goldenrain tree ( Koelreuteria paniculata ) *The candlenut, or kukui ( Aleurites moluccana ) …   Wikipedia

  • varnish-tree — lakingasis toksikodendras statusas T sritis vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Toxicodendron vernicifluum angl. Japanese lacquer tree; varnish tree vok. Firnis Sumach; Lack Sumach rus. лаковое дерево; сумак лаконосный; токсикодендрон лаконосный lenk.… …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

  • varnish tree — noun Date: 1758 any of various trees yielding a milky juice from which in some cases varnish or lacquer is prepared; especially an Asian tree (Rhus verniciflua syn. Toxicodendron vernicifluum) of the cashew family …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • varnish tree — var′nish tree n. pln any of various trees yielding sap that can be used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua, of the cashew family • Etymology: 1750–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • varnish tree — /ˈvanɪʃ tri/ (say vahnish tree) noun any of various trees yielding sap or other substances used for varnish, as Rhus verniciflua of Japan. See lacquer (def. 2) …  

  • Japanese varnish tree — noun 1. small Asiatic tree yielding a toxic exudate from which lacquer is obtained • Syn: ↑varnish tree, ↑lacquer tree, ↑Chinese lacquer tree, ↑Japanese lacquer tree, ↑Japanese sumac, ↑Toxicodendron vernicifluum, ↑Rhus verniciflua …   Useful english dictionary

  • Varnish — Var nish, n. [OE. vernish, F. vernis, LL. vernicium; akin to F. vernir to varnish, fr. (assumed) LL. vitrinire to glaze, from LL. vitrinus glassy, fr. L. vitrum glass. See {Vitreous}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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