Jap`a*nese" (?), a. Of or pertaining to Japan, or its inhabitants.

Jap`a*nese", n. sing. & pl.

1. A native or inhabitant of Japan; collectively, the people of Japan.

2. sing. The language of the people of Japan.

• the main language spoken in Japan.
       * I've been studying Japanese for three years, and I still can't order pizza in Kyoto!
  
• a person living in or coming from Japan.
       * A Japanese will typically have black hair, brown eyes, and pale skin.
       
• Note: this can also refer to someone of Japanese ancestry. Less frequently, someone of Japanese ancestry living in another country will be referred to by a similar pairing--e.g., Japanese-Taiwanese or Japanese-British.
       
• Note: many people object to the usage of this sense in singular form, and it is now more frequent to see a person in or from Japan referred to by using the adjective Japanese. Rather than "a Japanese," you will frequently see "a Japanese person."
  
• of or relating to Japan.
       * A Japanese saw is one that cuts on the pull stroke rather than on the push stroke.
       * In the United States, Japanese animation has had a tremendous surge in popularity over the last few years.