/d͡ʒəˈpæn/
OriginFrom 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.
- A country and archipelago of East Asia. Capital and largest city: Tokyo.
“Vivian: If you set a picture by Hokusai, or Hokkei, or any of the great native painters, beside a real Japanese gentleman or lady, you will see that there is not the slightest resemblance between them”
“Japan’s very interesting. Some people think it copies things. I don’t think that anymore. I think what they do is reinvent things. They will get something that’s already been invented and study it unt”
“Nolan: You do know Japan have expressed concern?
Douglas: What, the whole country?
Nolan: No, not the whole... Mr Yamamoto.
Douglas: He's important, isn't he?
Nolan: He's the major shareholder.”
- countable, uncountableA 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 whi”
- countable, uncountableLacquerware.
- transitiveTo varnish (something) with japan.
“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.”
- UK, obsolete, slang, transitiveTo 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 — ”
FormsGiapan(alternative, obsolete) · Japonia(alternative, obsolete) · Japon(alternative, obsolete) · japans(plural) · japans(present, singular, third-person) · japanning(participle, present) · japanned(participle, past) · japanned(past)