A resinous excretion of an insect, Laccifer (Tachardia) lacca (family Coccidae). The insects suck the juice of various resiniferous Asiatic (chiefly Indian) trees and excrete and deposit “stick-lac.” S. softens at a low temperature. It has many nonmedicinal uses and is also used to coat confections and tablets and in dental materials, e.g., impression compound and denture base plates. SYN: lacca.
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shel·lac (shə-lakґ) a product of lac from India, produced on various plants by an insect, Laccifer lacca Kerr (Coccidae); sometimes used in dentistry and surgery, and in coating confections and medicinal tablets.Medical dictionary. 2011.