sandarac

American  

[san-duh-rak] / ˈsæn dəˌræk /

noun

1. a coniferous tree, Tetraclinis articulata (Callitrus quadrivalvis ), native to northwestern Africa, yielding a resin and a fragrant, hard, dark-colored wood much used in building.

2. the brittle, usually pale-yellow, faintly aromatic resin exuding from the bark of this tree: used chiefly as incense and in making varnish.

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sandarac British  

/ ˈsændəˌræk /

noun

1. Also called: sandarac tree.  either of two coniferous trees, Tetraclinis articulata of N Africa or Callistris endlicheri of Australia, having hard fragrant dark wood: family Cupressaceae

2. a brittle pale yellow transparent resin obtained from the bark of this tree and used in making varnish and incense

3. Also called: citron wood.  the wood of this tree, used in building

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Etymology

Origin of sandarac

1350–1400; Middle English sandaracha < Latin sandaraca < Greek sandarákē realgar, beebread

Example Sentences

Rembrandt, from motives of economy, may have employed the scarcely less durable common "vernix" or sandarac oil varnish; and for certain effects may have reckoned on its tint.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847 by Various

Owing to the dark colour of this varnish, in which amber, or more frequently sandarac, was used, this plan, from its darkening effect on most colours, had hitherto proved unsuccessful.

From Great Pictures, As Seen and Described by Famous Writers by Singleton, Esther

As both amber and sandarac had a tendency to darken the colours, "a lighter treatment," Mr Eastlake adds, "has rarely been successful without a modification of the vehicle itself."

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847 by Various

After effecting the erasure the spot is often rubbed over with a powdered alum or gum sandarac, or coated with gelatin or size.

From Forty Centuries of Ink or, a chronological narrative concerning ink and its backgrounds, introducing incidental observations and deductions, parallels of time and color phenomena, bibliography, chemistry, poetical effusions, citations, anecdotes and curiosa together with some evidence respecting the evanescent character of most inks of to-day and an epitome of chemico-legal ink. by Carvalho, David Nunes

To imitate ground glass, use a composition of sandarac, 2 1/2 ounces; mastic, 1/2 ounce; ether, 24 ounces; and benzine, 16 ounces.

From Practical Mechanics for Boys by Zerbe, James Slough