japanning, vbl. n.
(dʒəˈpænɪŋ)
[f. japan v. + -ing1.]
The action of japanning or varnishing with japan; the material used in japanning, japan. Also attrib.
| 1688 [see japan v. 1]. 1714 Gay Trivia ii. 166 And aids with soot the new japanning art. 1745 Eliza Heywood Fem. Spectator (1748) IV. 47 We have them copied in painting, in japanning, and in embroidery. 1757 Mrs. Delany Lett., to Mrs. Dewes 462 On the water is a Chinese vessel..as..gay as carving, gilding, and japanning can make it. c 1817 Hogg Tales & Sk. VI. 93 Covered with pitch or black japanning. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 94/2 Japanning is the art of producing a highly varnished surface on wood, metal, or other hard substance, sometimes of one colour only, but more commonly figured and ornamented. |