japan
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English
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.
Pronunciation
Noun
japan (countable and uncountable, plural japans)
- A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.
- Coordinate term: ebonization
- 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Much Change in a Little Time”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 64:
- 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.
- Lacquerware.
Verb
japan (third-person singular simple present japans, present participle japanning, simple past and past participle japanned)
- (transitive) To varnish with japan.
- 1971, Gwen White, Antique Toys And Their Background, page 183:
- 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.
- Coordinate term: ebonize
- (UK, slang, transitive, obsolete, religion) To ordain.
- 1826, George Colman, The Connoisseur, page 179:
- 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 — […]
Translations
to varnish with japan
References
- “japan”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary
Swedish
Etymology
Pronunciation
Noun
japan c
- A person from Japan.
Declension
Declension of japan
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