lancang
lancang Lexical Profile
• noun
The upper segment of the Mekong River that flows through the mountainous regions of southwestern China, specifically in Qinghai and Yunnan provinces, before entering Southeast Asia.
A traditional Malay sailing vessel, historically utilized as a fast trading ship, warship, or a ceremonial state boat in the Indonesian archipelago and Malay Peninsula.
"In classical Malay literature, the sultan's royal lancang is often depicted as a grand and elaborately carved ship with yellow sails."
Word Nuance & Usage
In English, 'lancang' most commonly appears as a proper noun in geographical contexts referring to the upper Mekong River in China, though it also denotes a traditional Malay vessel in historical or anthropological texts.
• Rhymes for lancang
Word Origin & Etymology
A homonym in English representing two distinct borrowings: from Mandarin 'Láncāng' (澜沧) for the upper course of the Mekong River, and from Malay 'lancang' denoting a fast-sailing traditional boat.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.