Mandarin Definition

măndə-rĭn
noun
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.
Webster's New World
A high government official or bureaucrat.
American Heritage
A member of any elite group; leading intellectual, political figure, etc., sometimes one who is pompous, arbitrary, etc.
Webster's New World
A small, sweet orange with loose rind.
Webster's New World
The orange tree (Citrus reticulata) on which it grows.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun

Standard Mandarin, the official language of China and Taiwan, and one of four official languages in Singapore; Putonghua, Guoyu or Huayu.

Wiktionary
adjective
Designating or of a woman's dress in a Chinese style, often characterized by a narrow, closefitting, stand-up collar parted in the front.
Webster's New World
Of, relating to, or resembling a mandarin.
American Heritage
Characterized by a highly formal, self-conscious, and subtle use of language.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Mandarin

Noun

Singular:
mandarin
Plural:
mandarins

Origin of Mandarin

  • From Dutch mandorijn or Portuguese mandarim, mandarij, from Malay menteri, manteri, from Hindi मन्त्रि (mantri), from Sanskrit मन्त्रिन् (mantrin, “minister, councillor"), from मन्त्र (mantra, “counsel, maxim, mantra") + -इन् (-in, “an agent suffix").

    From Wiktionary

  • From Spanish mandarín from Portuguese mandarim from Malay menteri from Sanskrit mantrī mantrin- counselor from mantraḥ counsel men-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French mandarine, feminine of mandarin, probably formed as Etymology 1, above, from the yellow colour of the mandarins' costume.

    From Wiktionary

  • From mandarin (from its use in administration in imperial China)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • See mandarin.

    From Wiktionary

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