NYT Dictionary

MANDARIN

/ˈmæn.də.ɹɪn/
NounAdjectiveMAN-da-rinman-da-rin · 3 syllablesGrade 5

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2021, 2026

Meaning

A high government bureaucrat of the Chinese Empire.

Etymology

Origin: Sanskrit

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *men- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-trom Proto-Indo-Iranian *mántras Sanskrit मन्त्र॑ (mántra) Proto-Indo-Iranian *-in- Sanskrit -इन् (-in) Sanskrit म॒न्त्रिन् (mantrín)bor. Malay menteribor. Portuguese mandarimbor. English mandarin From Portuguese mandarim, mandarij, from Malay menteri, manteri, and its source, Sanskrit मन्त्रिन् (mantrin, “minister, councillor”), from मन्त्र (mantra, “counsel, maxim, mantra”) + -इन् (-in, an agent suffix).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

academicauthoritybookishdiligentdoctordonnishdryasdustelderelitistenglish

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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