Skip to main content
Cathayan

Cathayan

9.9
Relating to old China, its people or its culture
  • adjective
  • /kæˈθeɪən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : catalán
  • He studied Cathayan art to understand the region's historical influences.

Examples

  • Travelers marveled at the Cathayan architecture described in old manuscripts.

  • The Cathayan culture is rich in history and tradition.

  • The ancient map depicted the Cathayan empire in great detail.

  • Many Cathayan festivals celebrate the harvest season.

  • Many Cathayan festivals celebrate the harvest season.

  • The ancient map depicted the Cathayan empire in great detail.

  • Travelers marveled at the Cathayan architecture described in old manuscripts.

Synonyms

Chinese
vsCathayan
1.4

About China, its people, language, or culture

is an older name used for the same people and culture historically
Sinic
vsCathayan
8.9

Relating to China or Chinese culture

is the older term used historically rather than in modern technical use

Surface Forms

Cathayan positive

Morphology

Cathayan = Cathay (transparent) = Cathay + an

Formed straightforwardly from the place name 'Cathay' with the demonym/adjectival suffix '-an', so meaning is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Cathayan comes from the old name Cathay for China, which itself came from the name Khitan, a people who once ruled parts of northern China. So Cathayan means 'relating to Cathay', or about historic China.