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Chinee. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Chinee, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Chinee in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Chinee you have here. The definition of the word
Chinee will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
Chinee, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Back-formation from Chinese, using -ee.
Pronunciation
Noun
Chinee (plural Chinees)
- (dated, offensive, Chinese Pidgin English, ethnic slur) A person from China.
1870, Bret Harte, Plain Language from Truthful James:But the hands that were played / By that heathen Chinee, / And the points that he made, / Were quite frightful to see,— / Till at last he put down a right bower, / Which the same Nye had dealt unto me.
Usage notes
- This spelling was used intentionally, as a pejorative, in the United States in the 19th century.
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