novolac

English

Alternative forms

• novolack, novolak

Etymology

From Latin novus (“new”) + Swedish lack (“lacquer”), because these materials were envisioned to replace natural lacquers such as copal resin.

Noun

novolac (plural novolacs)

1. (materials science) Any of several polymers derived from phenols and formaldehyde with low molecular weight and related to Bakelite but less highly cross-linked.