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to japan

to japan

9.9
To cover an object with a hard shiny coating in a Japanese style
  • verb
  • /dʒəˈpæn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : lacar
  • The craftsmen japaned the beautiful vases to give them a shiny, protective coat.

Examples

  • He skillfully japanned the wooden box, making its surface smooth and reflective.

  • WELL, FIRST I THINK SHE WENT TO JAPAN, AND THEN TO ALGIERS.

  • After applying the japan finish, the furniture had a rich, lustrous appearance.

Synonyms

to glaze
vsto japan
33 4.2

To cover a surface with a smooth shiny liquid that dries hard, for example on food or pottery

is used mainly on decorative objects rather than foodware
to lacquer
vsto japan
8 6.4

To cover something with a hard shiny coating to protect it and make it shine

is similar but used in a specific national decorative tradition
to enamel
vsto japan
3 6.5

To cover a surface with a hard shiny layer for protection or decoration

uses a layered varnish finish rather than a glassy coating
to shellac
vsto japan
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Cover something with a shiny protective finish made from a natural hard substance

uses a layered glossy finish rather than a resin coating
to gloss
vsto japan
1 4.0

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing

uses an applied protective finish rather than surface polishing
to japanning
vsto japan
  • Archaic
9.2

To put a hard shiny coat on metal or wood

is the same coating but in a traditional national decorative style

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

to japan
  • Archaic
9.9
to lacquer
8 6.4
to enamel
3 6.5

Surface Forms

japan infinitive
japanned past
japanned past participle
japanning present participle
japans third person singular

Etymology

The verb japan comes from the same idea: it means to cover an object with the glossy lacquer first made in Japan, so to japan something is to 'coat' it with a hard, shiny finish.