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Glite Dictionary
kauri copal

kauri copal

9.9
A hard, sticky material from old New Zealand kauri trees that people use to make varnish
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊəri ˈkoʊpəl/
  • New Zealand
: copal de kauri
  • Artisans value kauri copal for its excellent properties in making varnishes and linoleum.

Examples

  • The museum exhibited a large piece of kauri copal dating back thousands of years.

  • Kauri copal is prized for its clear finish.

  • Artisans value kauri copal for its excellent properties in making varnish.

  • Much of the world's kauri copal comes from ancient deposits in New Zealand.

  • The artist used kauri copal in her latest painting.

  • Much of the world's kauri copal is sourced from ancient deposits found in New Zealand.

  • The museum displayed a large piece of kauri copal that dates back thousands of years.

Synonyms

kauri
vskauri copal
  • New Zealand
1 9.9

A fossil resin from New Zealand trees used to make varnish and linoleum

is the more specific label stressing its fossil origin from those trees
kauri resin
vskauri copal
  • New Zealand
1 9.9

A hard pale material from a large New Zealand tree used to make varnish

stresses its identity as a fossil resin rather than its hardness
kauri gum
vskauri copal
  • New Zealand
1 9.9

A hard sticky substance from kauri trees in New Zealand used to make varnish and linoleum

is the broader name not limited to special use in those products
courbaril copal
vskauri copal
  • Specialized
9.9

A sticky natural substance from the courbaril tree used to make varnish and glue

is from New Zealand trees and is a fossil used in linoleum
acaroid resin
vskauri copal
  • Australian
9.9

A sticky natural substance from Australian trees that dissolves in alcohol and helps make varnish and stronger paper

is not alcohol-soluble and is known as a fossil resin
accaroid resin
vskauri copal
  • Australian
9.9

A resin from some Australian trees that dissolves in alcohol and helps make varnish and paper

is the fossil non-alcohol-soluble form used in varnishes and linoleum
gum accroides
vskauri copal
  • Australian
9.9

A sticky natural substance from some Australian trees that makers use for varnish and paper

is a fossil resin rather than an alcohol-soluble one
accroides
vskauri copal
  • Australian
9.9

A natural resin from Australian trees used to make varnish and paper

is a fossil resin unlike the alcohol-soluble varieties from Australia
accroides gum
vskauri copal
  • Archaic
9.9

A yellow sticky substance from some Australian trees used to make varnishes and paper

is a fossil resin from New Zealand rather than a yellow Australian one

Surface Forms

kauri copal singular
kauri copals plural

Morphology

kauri + copal

The noun–noun compound simply specifies the type/source of copal: copal that comes from the kauri (tree/resin). This is a straightforward source–material composition, so a learner who knows 'kauri' and 'copal' can derive the full meaning.

Etymology

Kauri copal is hardened sticky sap from old kauri trees, and copal is a word for tree resin. Imagine bright sap that slowly becomes hard in the ground, like a small piece of amber. People used this shiny, strong material to make 'varnish' and protect surfaces, so today kauri copal means that hardened resin used for 'varnish' and similar products.