Thrash (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: SHELLAC (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Thrash" with 7 letters is "SHELLAC".Shellac refers to a resin derived from the secretions of the lac bug, often used as a coating or finish for wood and other surfaces. It can also be used metaphorically to mean something applied thickly or aggressively, such as when something is "shellacked" or thrashed in a contest, indicating a thorough defeat.
Why “Shellac” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “thrash.” The answer, SHELLAC, fits exactly:
- Thrash: In slang or informal usage, shellac means to defeat or thrash someone soundly — often used in sports or competition contexts.
- Direct match: With seven letters, shellac aligns perfectly with the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: The word conveys the sense of giving a decisive beating or overwhelming victory, matching the clue’s tone of strong action.
The word shellac originally comes from a varnish material but later took on idiomatic meanings:
- Origin and usage: Derived from “shell” + lac, a resin produced by insects and used as a glossy finish. The figurative meaning “to thrash, defeat thoroughly” emerged in 1930s American slang.
- Contexts: Used in both literal (“to coat with shellac”) and figurative (“to beat badly”) forms.
- Examples: “Our team got shellacked in the finals,” or “He shellacked the old chair to restore its shine.”
Quick crossword clues like “thrash (7)” often employ verbs with strong figurative or colloquial emphasis:
- While straightforward synonyms like hammer, smash, or batter might fit the definition, shellac stands out for its colorful double meaning — both “to coat” and “to trounce.”
- Recognizing that modern crosswords frequently use slang or idiomatic expressions helps solvers identify shellac as the intended answer.
- With perfect enumeration, lively expression, and a clear link to “thrash,” shellac is the correct crossword solution.
