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Glite Dictionary
Japan wax

Japan wax

9.9
A yellowish wax made from sumac berries and used for candles and polish
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : cera de Japón
  • The artisan used Japan wax to finish the wooden sculpture.

Examples

  • Traditional furniture polish often contains Japan wax for its smooth finish.

  • You can find Japan wax listed as an ingredient in some specialty crayons.

  • Candlemakers sometimes use Japan wax for its excellent burning qualities.

  • Many manufacturers prefer Japan wax for its durability.

  • Candlemakers sometimes use Japan wax for its excellent burning qualities.

  • Traditional furniture polish often contains Japan wax for its smooth finish.

  • You can find Japan wax listed as an ingredient in some specialty crayons.

Synonyms

wax
vsJapan wax
187 2.8

A solid natural material that bees make, used to make candles and polish things

is the specific yellowish form obtained from sumac berries for polishes and candles
Japan tallow
vsJapan wax
  • Archaic
9.9

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

is from the same berries but mainly used for polishes and candles
vegetable wax
vsJapan wax
5.0

A firm, oily material from plants used in polishes and cosmetics

is made from sumac berries rather than from trunks of palms

Surface Forms

Japan wax singular
Japan waxes plural

Morphology

japan + wax

The compound is directly compositional: 'Japan' (a lacquered surface or japanning) + 'wax' denotes a type of wax associated with japanning or used for polishes. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can predict that this is a wax used for lacquer/polish, so the meaning is transparent.

Etymology

Japan wax probably comes from a simple, literal fact: people pressed the oily 'berries' of trees called sumac that grew in Japan to make a yellowish wax. Because this plant wax was used for candles and polish, the name Japan wax came to mean that wax product today.