mandarin Definition

mandarin
noun

1a. A small citrus fruit, similar to the tangerine, with deep orange skin that peels easily;

Form: mandarin orange (also)


Form: Mandarin
Form: Mandarin Chinese
2b. The tree that produces this fruit. ) the name given to the form of Chinese spoken in the north, centre and west of China;
2c. The official spoken language of China, based on the Beijing variety of this language. Compare Putonghua
3. A high-ranking official or bureaucrat, especially one who is thought to be outside political control.

Example: at the mercy of the mandarins at Whitehall
4. A person of great influence, especially a reactionary or pedantic literary figure.
5. historical
A senior official belonging to any of the nine ranks of officials under the Chinese Empire.

Etymology: 18c in sense 1, probably referring to the colour of the skin, similar to that of a Chinese mandarin's robes: 16c in sense 5: from Portuguese mandarim, from Malay mantri counsellor.