noun

1. in the Chinese empire, a member of any of the nine ranks of high officials, each rank distinguished by a characteristic jeweled button worn on the cap
2. a member of any elite group; leading intellectual, political figure, etc., sometimes one who is pompous, arbitrary, etc.
3. the most widely spoken language of China, comprising a northern, an eastern, and a southwestern variety
4. 1. a small, sweet orange with loose rind
      in full mandarin orange
   2. the orange tree (Citrus reticulata) on which it grows
5. a deep-orange color

Etymology: Port mandarim, altered (infl. by mandar, to command < L mandare: see mandate) < Hindi mantrī, minister of state < Sans mantrin, counselor < mantár-, thinker < IE base *men-, to think > mind, Gr mentór, Sans mantra

adjective

1. designating or of a Chinese style of dress, esp. a narrow, closefitting, stand-up collar parted in the front
2. characterized by a highly formal, self-conscious, and subtle use of language