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  What it means

  Literally “from a lack of sealing wax.” Used when you choose something only because nothing better is available. “For want of anything better.”

  Vocabulary

  • lak — sealing wax

  Grammar note

  Genitive 'laku' after 'braku'.

  Cultural context

  Old-fashioned origin from when letters were sealed with wax; if you didn't have any, you used a cheaper substitute (like the 'kit' mentioned in the full proverb).

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