sandarac

san·da·rac   (sān'də-rāk')    n.   A coniferous evergreen tree (Tetraclinis articulata) of Spain and northern Africa, having flattened branches, scalelike leaves, and bark that yields a hard brittle translucent resin used in varnishes. The resin of this tree. [Middle English sandaracha, from Latin, red pigment, from Greek sandarakē, realgar.]

Main Entry: san·da·rac
Pronunciation: 'san-d&-"rak
Function: noun
: a brittle faintly aromatic translucent resin obtained from a largenorthern African tree (Callitris articulata) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae) and used chiefly in making varnish and as incense; also : a similar resin obtained from any ofseveral related Australian trees

sandarac

brittle, faintly aromatic, translucent resin, usually available in the form of small, pale yellow, dusty tears; it is used as incense and in making a spirit varnish for coating paper, leather, and metal. The initial film is brittle, but it can readily be modified to yield elastic films by adding elemi, an oleoresin. Sandarac is obtained from the African sandarac tree, Tetraclinis articulata, or from cypress pines, genus Callitris, that grow in Australia, North Africa, and North America.

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