japan

name

1. A country in East Asia. Capital and largest city: Tokyo.

   “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.”

   “In particular, Kumamoto prefecture in southwestern Japan is quickly becoming a hotbed for tech investment from companies including TSMC and Fujifilm Holdings Corp (FUJIF).”

2. An archipelago of East Asia; in full, Japanese archipelago.

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)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. (countable, uncountable)Lacquerware.

verb

1. (transitive)To 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.”

2. (UK, obsolete, slang, transitive)To 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 — […]”