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japan

japan

9.7
A hard shiny coating on objects in a Japanese style
  • noun
  • /dʒəˈpæn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : laca
  • She admired the japan lacquer on the antique furniture, which gleamed in the sunlight.

Examples

  • The artisan created a beautiful box with a japan finish that showcased intricate designs.

  • The artist used a traditional technique to apply japan to her latest pottery collection.

  • I WAS SENT TO CONVINCE HIM TO RETURN TO JAPAN AND, UH, POSSIBLY SAVE FACE, BUT, UH, UNFORTUNATELY, IN TRYING TO SAVE JAPANESE FACE, I ALSO TREAT NOSE OF AMERICAN WRONG.

Synonyms

finish
vsjapan
  • Specialized
46 3.9

A protective or decorative layer on a surface

is a specific hard glossy coating associated with a particular national style
lacquer
vsjapan
11 6.5

A hard shiny coating that protects and decorates things like wood and metal

is the same finish but also refers to objects decorated in that style
lacquerwork
vsjapan
8.4

Objects or the art of making them with many smooth, shiny layers of special paint

is the hard glossy coating or items decorated with that coating
finishing
vsjapan
  • Specialized
3.4

A thin layer on wood or metal that protects and looks good

is the named glossy result or object decorated using that final layer

Compounds

3 2.4

A sea in the northwest Pacific between Japan, North and South Korea, and Russia

The main bank of Japan that issues money and controls interest rates

A shrub from Japan with yellow flowers that smell sweet

Japan bittersweet
  • Specialized
9.9

A climbing Asian vine with bright orange berries often grown in gardens

Japan cedar
  • Specialized
6.2

A tall tree from Japan and China with soft, strong wood used for furniture and building

Japan clover
  • Specialized
8.3

A low plant from Asia often grown to feed farm animals and cover soil

Japan current
  • Specialized
6.3

A warm ocean current that flows northeast from the coast of Japan into the northern Pacific

Japan tallow
  • Archaic
9.9

A yellowish wax from the berries of some sumac trees used in polishes and candles

A very deep part of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Japan about 9,000 meters deep

Japan wax
  • Archaic
9.9

A yellowish wax made from sumac berries and used for candles and polish

A day marking the end of fighting between Japan and other countries in World War II

How Glossy

japan
  • Archaic
9.7
lacquer
11 6.5
varnish
12 4.4
satin
3 2.7
matte
  • US
14 5.3

Surface Forms

japan singular
japans plural

Etymology

Japan for a hard, shiny lacquer comes from the country Japan, where this special lacquer work was famous; like the word 'china' for porcelain from China, japan came to mean a 'glossy' decorative finish.