cathay
Proper noun 1. A historical or poetic name for China: "Cathay" is an archaic or literary term used to refer to China, particularly in historical contexts or in poetry and romantic literature. It evokes a sense of the exotic and ancient Far East.
"Cathay" is used as a proper noun to name the country. It is not commonly used in modern everyday language but appears in historical texts, poetry, and certain formal or stylistic contexts. * In historical discourse: Medieval European travelers dreamed of reaching the riches of Cathay. * In poetry and literature: The poet wrote of the silks and spices of far Cathay.
- Proper noun:
- Marco Polo's travels introduced many Europeans to the wonders of Cathay.
- For centuries, "Cathay" was the name used on European maps for the region we now call China.
- "The realms of Cathay": A poetic phrase emphasizing the distant, mysterious, and imperial nature of historical China.
- The old tales spoke of dragons guarding the realms of Cathay.
- Cathayan (adj, archaic): Of or relating to Cathay.
- The merchant traded in Cathayan porcelain.
- China: The modern and standard name for the country.
- The Middle Kingdom: A direct translation of "Zhongguo," a traditional name for China.
- The Celestial Empire: A historical and poetic epithet for imperial China.
The word "Cathay" specifically refers to northern China in its original historical usage, derived from the name of the Khitan people (Kitai) who ruled the region. Over time, especially in European usage, it became a general term for the entire country. Its use today is almost entirely historical, literary, or evocative. It should not be confused with modern political entities.
- a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world