Journalists sometimes use mandarin to refer to someone who has an important job in the Civil Service.
[British]
...Foreign Office mandarins.
...the latest evidence of the mandarins' power over their ministers.
2. uncountable noun
Mandarin is the official language of China.
3. countable noun
A mandarin or a mandarin orange is a small orange whose skin comes off easily.
4. countable noun
A mandarin was, in former times, an important government official in China.
mandarin in British English
(ˈmændərɪn)
noun
1.
(in the Chinese Empire) a member of any of the nine senior grades of the bureaucracy, entered by examinations
2.
a high-ranking official whose powers are extensive and thought to be outside political control
3.
a person of standing and influence, as in literary or intellectual circles
4.
a.
a small citrus tree, Citrus nobilis, cultivated for its edible fruit
b.
the fruit of this tree, resembling the tangerine
Derived forms
mandarinate (ˈmandarinate)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Portuguese mandarim, via Malay menteri from Sanskrit mantrin counsellor, from mantra counsel
mandarin in American English
(ˈmændərɪn)
noun
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
adjective
6.
designating or of a Chinese style of dress, esp. a narrow, closefitting, stand-up collar parted in the front
7.
characterized by a highly formal, self-conscious, and subtle use of language
Derived forms
mandarinism (ˈmandarinˌism)
noun
Word origin
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
It was one of the senior mandarins he had just met.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Ministers and mandarins worry that scientific advice will close off politically palatable options.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It could prove popular with ministers and mandarins.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There are no figures showing whether money is being effectively spent or any mechanism to hold top mandarins accountable for poor performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Meanwhile, senior mandarins are concerned about the number of political appointeesbeing parachuted into government as civil servants.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Hospital consultants and senior mandarins on more than 150,000 will pay an extra 1,800 next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The alleged antics, disclosed by a whistleblower two months ago, embarrassed ministers and senior mandarins who were trying to deal with a backlog in farm payments.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Word lists with
mandarin
Asian Languages
In other languages
mandarin
British English: mandarin /ˈmændərɪn/ NOUN
person in influential job Journalists sometimes use mandarin to refer to someone who has an important job working for a government department.
...government mandarins.
American English: mandarin official
Arabic: مُوَظَّف
Brazilian Portuguese: mandachuva
Chinese: 内务官员
Croatian: dužnosnik
Czech: vysoký státní úředník
Danish: mandarin embedsmand
Dutch: mandarijn ambtenaar
European Spanish: mandarín
Finnish: virkamies korkea-arvoinen / Kiinan keisarikunnan
French: mandarin
German: Mandarin
Greek: μανδαρίνος
Italian: mandarino
Japanese: 上級官吏 official
Korean: 관료
Norwegian: byråkrat
Polish: mandaryn osoba urzędowa
European Portuguese: mandarim
Romanian: mandarin
Russian: чиновник
Latin American Spanish: mandarín
Swedish: mandarin
Thai: ข้าราชการพลเรือน
Turkish: Çin’de yüksek memur
Ukrainian: впливова людина
Vietnamese: viên chức chính phủ
British English: mandarin /ˈmændərɪn/ NOUN
fruit A mandarin or a mandarin orange is a small orange whose skin comes off easily.