English▸ noun [mass noun] a hard, dark, enamel-like varnish containing asphalt, used to give a black gloss to metal objects.
▪ a kind of varnish in which pigments are ground, typically used to imitate lacquer on wood.
▪ articles made in a Japanese style, especially when decorated with lacquer or enamel-like varnish.
▸ verb
( japans, japanning, japanned)
[with object] cover (something) with a hard black varnish: the pillars are to be japanned.