kauri gum

British  

noun

1. a hard resin from the kauri tree, found usually as a fossil in the soil where an extinct tree once grew: used chiefly in making varnishes

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Example Sentences

In New Zealand kauri gum diggers are becoming impoverished.

From Time Magazine Archive

These varnishes are also finding application in the manufacture of concrete, steel, and flat wall paints; being especially suitable for the above purposes when compounded with kauri gum japan.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Gardner, Henry A.

A fossil kauri gum is collected for export; it makes a varnish almost equal to Japanese lacquer.

From Commercial Geography A Book for High Schools, Commercial Courses, and Business Colleges by Redway, Jacques W. (Jacques Wardlaw)

The British slept that night without tents round fires of kauri gum, but next morning all was astir for the attack.

From History of Australia and New Zealand From 1606 to 1890 by Sutherland, Alexander

For many years about a million dollars' worth of kauri gum was thus obtained each year.

From Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania by Gilson, Jewett Castello