1. n.1 (Mandarin) the most widely spoken form of Chinese and the official language of China.
2 hist. a Chinese official in any of nine grades of the pre-Communist civil service.
3 a a party leader; a bureaucrat. b a powerful member of the establishment.
4 a a nodding Chinese figure, usu. of porcelain. b porcelain etc. decorated with Chinese figures in mandarin dress.
Phrases and idioms:
mandarin collar a small close-fitting upright collar. mandarin duck a small Chinese duck, Aix galericulata, noted for its bright plumage. mandarin sleeve a wide loose sleeve.
Derivatives:
mandarinate n.
Etymology: Port. mandarim f. Malay f. Hindi mantri f. Skr. mantrin counsellor 2. n. (also mandarine) (in full mandarin orange)
1. a small flattish deep-coloured orange with a loose skin.
2 the tree, Citrus reticulata, yielding this. Also called TANGERINE.
Etymology: F mandarine (perh. as MANDARIN(1), with ref. to the official's yellow robes)