/jap'euh neez", -nees"/ , adj., n., pl. Japanese .
adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Japan, its people, or their language.
n.
2. a native or inhabitant of Japan.
3. a person of Japanese ancestry.
4. the language of Japan. Abbr.: Japn., Japn
[ 1580-90; JAPAN + -ESE ]