Chinesian
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Noun
[edit]Chinesian (plural Chinesians)
- (uncommon, now humorous) Synonym of Chinese, a citizen of China or an ethnic Chinese, particularly a Han Chinese person.
- 2000 October 3, Tim Paluch, “Gore vs. Bush: That's Debatable”, in Iowa State Daily:
Proper noun
[edit]Chinesian
- (uncommon, now humorous) Synonym of Chinese, the people of China or the ethnic Chinese, particularly the Han Chinese. [c. 1615]
Adjective
[edit]Chinesian (comparative more Chinesian, superlative most Chinesian)
- (uncommon, now humorous) Synonym of Chinese, of or related to China, the Chinese, or their culture, particularly Han Chinese culture. [1625]
- 1699, Patrick Gordon, Geography Anatomized..., Pt. II, pp. 245-246:
- Very remarkable are three Maxims of State carefully observ'd by the Chinesian Emperors, viz. (1) Never to give any Mandarin a Publick Office in his Native Province, lest being of a mean Descent, it might contribute to his Disparagement, or being well Descended, and belov'd, he should thereby grow too powerful. (2.) To retain at Court the Children of the Mandarins imploy'd in Publick Offices, and that under pretence of giving them good Education, but 'tis in effect as Hostages, lest their Fathers should chance to forget their Duty to the Emperor. Lastly, Never to sell any Publick Office, but to confer the same according to Person's Merits.
- 1959 April, Cordwainer Smith, "When the People Fell", Galaxy Science Fiction:
- Prince Lovaduck had obtained his odd name because he had had a Chinesian ancestor who did love ducks, ducks in their Peking form—succulent duck skins brought forth to him ancestral dreams of culinary ecstasy.
- 2000 October 3, Tim Paluch, “Gore vs. Bush: That's Debatable”, in Iowa State Daily:
References
[edit]- “Chinesian, n. & adj.”, in OED Online
, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.