Japanese sumac

9.9

A small Asian tree whose sap can cause a skin rash and is used to make lacquer

noun
/ˈdʒæpəˌniːz ˈsuːmæk/

: sumaquero japonés

The sap of the Japanese sumac is traditionally used to produce high-quality lacquerware.

Examples

Contact with the Japanese sumac can cause skin reactions due to its toxic exudate.
The Japanese sumac tree grows well in warm climates.
Many artisans value the Japanese sumac for its unique resin.
Many artisans prefer using Japanese sumac for their lacquer work.
Contact with the Japanese sumac can cause skin reactions due to its toxic exudate.
The sap of the Japanese sumac is traditionally used to produce high-quality lacquerware.
Many artisans value the Japanese sumac for its unique resin.

Synonyms

Rhus verniciflua

vsJapanese sumac

Specialized

9.9

A small Asian tree whose sap makes a hard shiny finish for wood and can cause skin allergy

is the common general name rather than a scientific label

Toxicodendron vernicifluum

vsJapanese sumac

Specialized

9.9

A small Asian tree that makes a poisonous sap used to make lacquer

is the common general name rather than the scientific term

Japanese lacquer tree

vsJapanese sumac

9.3

A small East Asian tree that makes a poisonous sap used for lacquer

is a general Asian name without noting native region

lacquer tree

vsJapanese sumac

9.3

A small Asian tree that gives a poisonous sap used to make a hard shiny finish

is a regional common name rather than a broad label

varnish tree

vsJapanese sumac

Indian

9.9

A small Asian tree that gives a poisonous sap used to make lacquer

uses toxic wording and the usual name instead

Japanese varnish tree

vsJapanese sumac

9.9

A small tree from East Asia that loses its leaves and has toxic sap used to make lacquer

focuses only on being a small Asian tree with lacquer sap

Surface Forms

Japanese sumac singular

Japanese sumacs plural

Morphology

Japanese + sumac

This is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'Japanese' marks origin and 'sumac' names a plant, so a learner who knows both words will infer it is a type/variety of sumac from Japan. The specialized botanical detail about toxic sap is extra encyclopedic information but does not prevent the core meaning being directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Japanese sumac is the name for a small Asian tree; the word sumac refers to a tree with a sticky, poisonous sap that was collected by people who made 'lacquer'. Because the sap made a shiny finish and could cause skin rashes, the name now refers to this tree and its sap.