I. ˈchīnə noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification (influenced by China, the country) of Persian chīnī (Chinese) porcelain
1.
a. : porcelain 1a ; also : vitreous porcelain wares (as dishes, vases, ornaments) for domestic use as distinguished from industrial whitewares
b. : earthenware or porcelain tableware
set the table with the good china
c. : crockery
2.
a.
[by shortening]
: chinaroot
b.
[from China, the country]
: sweet orange
II. adjective
Etymology: from China, country in Asia
1. usually capitalized : of, from, or native to China
a China pig
a China pheasant
: produced in or of a kind or type prevalent or originally produced in China
China silk
: chinese
2.
[ china (I) ]
a. : made of china
b. : resembling porcelain (as in hardness or finish
a woman with a set china face
also : of the opaque blue characteristic of certain chinas
a china- eyed dog
III. ˈkēnə noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Spanish quina, perhaps from Quechua kina
: cinchona
IV. ˈchīnə noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps short for china plate, rhyming slang for mate
slang Britain : companion , pal
swapping yarns with my two old chinas