japan
Noun:
- A type of lacquer: A hard, glossy, and durable black varnish or lacquer, originally developed in East Asia.
- Lacquerware: Objects, often decorative, that are coated with this type of lacquer in a style characteristic of Japanese craftsmanship.
- A country: An island nation in East Asia, officially named Japan, known as a constitutional monarchy and a global economic power.
- An archipelago: The chain of islands that constitutes the country of Japan.
Verb:
- To coat with lacquer: To varnish or finish an object with a hard, glossy lacquer, especially in the style of traditional Japanese lacquerware.
Noun (Lacquer):
- The antique box was finished with a beautiful coat of japan.
- Traditional japan is made from the sap of the lacquer tree.
Noun (Country/Archipelago):
- Japan is famous for its advanced technology and rich culture.
- The islands of Japan stretch from north to south in the Pacific Ocean.
Verb:
- The craftsman will japan the wooden tray to give it a protective, shiny surface.
- In the 18th century, European furniture makers often tried to japan their pieces to imitate Asian styles.
"Japan black": A specific term for a very dark, glossy lacquer or paint finish.
- The early automobiles were often painted with "Japan black."
As a proper noun vs. a common noun: When referring to the country, "Japan" is always capitalized. When referring to the lacquer or the technique, it is often not capitalized.
- We imported lacquer from Japan. (Country)
- The technique to japan a surface is intricate. (Verb/technique)
Japanese (adj/n): Of or relating to Japan, its people, or its language.
- She studies Japanese art history.
Lacquer (n/v): A more general term for a liquid that dries to form a hard, protective coating; can be synonymous with japan in some contexts.
- He applied lacquer to the table.
Urushi: The Japanese term for the natural lacquer used in traditional japanning.
- Varnish: A liquid that is applied to wood or other materials to give a hard, clear, shiny surface.
- Lacquer: A general term for a glossy, often colored, coating.
- Nippon: A name for Japan, used primarily in Japanese contexts.
(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The verb "to japan" is used transitively.)
(There are no common idioms that use the word "japan" in its lacquer sense. Idioms typically refer to the country, e.g., "Land of the Rising Sun" for Japan.)
- lacquer with a durable glossy black finish, originally from the orient
- lacquerware decorated and varnished in the Japanese manner with a glossy durable black lacquer
- a constitutional monarchy occupying the Japanese Archipelago; a world leader in electronics and automobile manufacture and ship building
- a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean
- coat with a lacquer, as done in Japan