I. jə̇ˈpan, -paa(ə)n also (ˈ)ja|p- adjective
Etymology: from Japan, country consisting of an island chain in the western Pacific off the eastern coast of Asia
1. usually capitalized : of or from Japan : of the kind or style prevalent in Japan : japanese
2.
a. : of, resembling, or characteristic of Japanese lacquered work
b. : coated or treated with japan
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: from Japan, whence it originally came
1.
a. : a varnish yielding a hard brilliant coating on such surfaces as metal or wood
b. or japan drier : a varnish that contains a large percentage of resins and driers and that is used as a grinding liquid for paste colors or as a liquid drier for paints
c. or japan black : a quick-drying black varnish consisting usually of asphaltum, linseed oil, and thinner that is used for coating metal and that is usually hardened by baking
2.
a. : work varnished and figured in the Japanese manner
the likeness of His Majesty … was housed in a circular container of its own, of black japan — John Godley
b. : Japanese china or silk
III. transitive verb
( japanned ; japanned ; japanning ; japans )
1. : to cover with a coat of japan or with some other hard brilliant varnish in the manner of the Japanese : lacquer
2. : to give a high gloss to with varnish supplemented by heating ; specifically : to give a glossy black to (as leather)