japan

nounverbcommon in dialogue

//d͡ʒəˈpæn//

A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.

noun

1
A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.
My own apartment, however, I was allowed to enter; and very pretty, I must say, it is. It is hung with Indian-silk, where the brightest of birds, and the gayest of flowers, disport themselves on a white ground. The screens and dressing-table are of black japan, while the mirror is set in exquisite silver filigree work, of which material are also the boxes of my toilette.
2
Lacquerware.

Etymology

From Japan, due to this varnishing process being an imitation of East Asian processes. Sense “to ordain” in reference to the black clothes worn by the clergy.

verb

1
To varnish (something) with japan.
He fastens his plates by fine srews in any waving or curving lines, and then japans them in all the most varied and beautiful shades.
Piled against the wall were certain boxes of black japanned tin, which had just been sent to him from London. At any other time he would certainly not have left them unopened. For they contained his robes of the Garter.
Among other monstrosities in this lumber room was a largeish black japanned box, excellently and ingeniously made some sixty or seventy years ago, and fitted with every imaginable object.
A Zoetrope in the same sale fetched 26 guineas. The revolving drum, 12 inches in diameter, was black japanned, on a turned wooden base, and there were many coloured strips.
2
obsoleteTo ordain (someone).
Jack, hearing that I was in this part of the world, sent me a very hearty letter, informing me, that he had been double-japanned (as he called it) about a year ago, and was the present incumbent of — […]

Forms

plural: japans
past tense: japanned
past participle: japanned
present participle: japanning
third person singular: japans

January · The first month of the Gregorian calendar, following the…jap · To carry out a sneak attack upon (something or somebody).Jap · A Japanese person.

japan · A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.

Japan · A country in East Asia. Capital and largest city: Tokyo.Japanese · Of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of Japan,…jar · An earthenware container, either with two or no handles, for…

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.