n. 1. A powerful businessman in China or Southeast Asia. 2. The head of a British trading company in colonial Hong Kong. [Cantonese daai6 baan1, eminent businessman, head of a firm, Cantonese, daai6, big, great (from Middle Chinese tɦaj`; also the source of Mandarin dà), Cantonese baan1, class (from Middle Chinese paːn, division, class; see HONCHO).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.