shellac

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A processed secretion of the lac insect, Coccus lacca; used in polishes, varnishes etc.

   “But, she says, a wartime ban on recordings using shellac and vinyl kept the Walker version from being released.”

   “At the turn of the century, the ever-expanding electrical industry was running low on shellac, a resin secreted by the female lac bug which could be used as an insulating material.”

2. (US, countable, informal, uncountable)A beating; a thrashing.

verb

1. (transitive)To coat with shellac.
2. (US, informal, transitive)To beat; to thrash.
3. (US, informal, transitive)To inflict a heavy defeat upon.

   “In 1964 Goldwater ran rambunctiously, flat-out against government. He got shellacked.”

   “In another the Mets were shellacked, 9-1, with a stray ninth-inning home run by Strawberry after two outs, preventing a shutout.”