mandarin
mandarin Lexical Profile
mandarin Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The standard literary and official Sinitic language of China and Taiwan, based on the Beijing dialect and spoken by the largest number of native speakers in the world.
"Fluency in Mandarin has become a valuable asset for professionals working in international trade."
A small, flattish citrus fruit (Citrus reticulata) with a loose, easily peeled bright orange skin and sweet, juicy segments.
"She packed a fresh mandarin in her lunchbox because it was easy to peel at her desk."
A small, spiny evergreen citrus tree (Citrus reticulata) of the family Rutaceae, native to East and Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in warm climates for its sweet fruit.
"The orchard in southern Spain was planted with rows of fragrant mandarin trees."
A senior scholar-bureaucrat in any of the nine grades of the historical Chinese Empire, or by extension any powerful, elite, and often secretive high-ranking government official.
"Senior Whitehall mandarins advised the prime minister on the constitutional implications of the bill."
A small, tree-nesting perching duck (Aix galericulata) of the family Anatidae, native to East Asia, of which the male is renowned for its ornate orange, green, and white plumage and distinctive sail-like wing feathers.
"A pair of colorful mandarins glided across the shaded ornamental pond in the botanical garden."
• adjective
Relating to or denoting the Mandarin Chinese language or the historical imperial bureaucracy of China.
"She enrolled in an intensive course to master Mandarin pronunciation before moving to Beijing."
Having a short, upright, band-like collar that does not fold over, modeled on traditional Chinese court dress.
"He wore a tailored linen shirt with a neat mandarin collar to the summer reception."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century via Portuguese mandarim and Malay menteri from Sanskrit mantrin ('counselor' or 'minister'), derived from mantra ('counsel' or 'thought'). The citrus fruit and the duck were named by association with the traditional yellow-orange robes and ornate attire of imperial Chinese officials.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.