japanとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From Japan, due to this varnishing process being an imitation of East Asian processes. Sense “to ordain” in reference to the black clothes worn by the clergy.

発音

• IPA: /d͡ʒəˈpæn/
• 韻: -æn

名詞

japan (countable and uncountable, plural japans)

1. A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.

   Coordinate term: ebonization

   • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Much Change in a Little Time”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 64:

     My own apartment, however, I was allowed to enter; and very pretty, I must say, it is. It is hung with Indian-silk, where the brightest of birds, and the gayest of flowers, disport themselves on a white ground. The screens and dressing-table are of black japan, while the mirror is set in exquisite silver filigree work, of which material are also the boxes of my toilette.

2. Lacquerware.

派生語

動詞

japan (third-person singular simple present japans, present participle japanning, simple past and past participle japanned) (transitive)

1. To varnish (something) with japan.

   Coordinate term: ebonize

   • 1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XI, in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC, page 241:

     Among other monstrosities in this lumber room was a largeish black japanned box, excellently and ingeniously made some sixty or seventy years ago, and fitted with every imaginable object.

     An adjective use.

   • 1971, Gwen White, Antique Toys And Their Background, page 183:

     A Zoetrope in the same sale fetched 26 guineas. The revolving drum, 12 inches in diameter, was black japanned, on a turned wooden base, and there were many coloured strips.

2. (UK, religion, slang, obsolete) To ordain (someone).
   • 1826, George Colman, The Connoisseur, page 179:

     Jack, hearing that I was in this part of the world, sent me a very hearty letter, informing me, that he had been double-japanned (as he called it) about a year ago, and was the present incumbent of — […]

派生語

参照

• “japan”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• John Camden Hotten (1873), The Slang Dictionary