japan
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To ordain. Having evident reference to the black clothes which follow ordination.—University.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “japan” mean?
To ordain. Having evident reference to the black clothes which follow ordination.—University.
Is “japan” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.