mandarin

mandarin [man′də rin]

n.

[Port mandarim, altered (infl. by mandar, to command < L mandare: see MANDATE) < Hindi mantrī, minister of state < Sans mantrin, counselor < mantár-, thinker < IE base * men-, to think > MIND, Gr mentór, Sans mantra]

1. in the Chinese empire, a member of any of the nine ranks of high officials, each rank distinguished by a characteristic jeweled button worn on the cap

2. a member of any elite group; leading intellectual, political figure, etc., sometimes one who is pompous, arbitrary, etc.

3. [M-] the most widely spoken language of China, comprising a northern, an eastern, and a southwestern variety

4.

a) a small, sweet orange with loose rind: in full mandarin orange

b) the orange tree (Citrus reticulata) on which it grows

5. a deep-orange color

adj.

1. designating or of a Chinese style of dress, esp. a narrow, closefitting, stand-up collar parted in the front

2. characterized by a highly formal, self-conscious, and subtle use of language

mandarinism

n.