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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
translation icon : 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 resin
vskauri copal
  • New Zealand
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
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
kauri
vskauri copal
  • New Zealand
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
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.