china
UK[ˈtʃaɪnə]US[ˈtʃaɪnə]
n
Fine, white or translucent ceramic ware, originally made in China.
n
The country China.
Etymology
The word 'China' entered European languages via Persian and Sanskrit, tracing back to the name of the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC), the first imperial dynasty of a unified China. Persian traders referred to the region as 'Chīn', which was adopted into Sanskrit as 'Cīna'. This term passed through various languages, including Latin and Old French, before becoming 'China' in English. By the 16th century, the term was also applied to the fine porcelain imported from the region, capitalizing on its reputation for quality, leading to the common noun 'china' for such ceramic ware.
Analysis
The word 'china' is a toponym, a word derived from a place name. It originates from the name of the Qin dynasty (秦, pronounced 'Ch'in' in an older romanization), which was the first to unify the country. The word functions as a proper noun for the country and, by metonymy, for the high-quality porcelain exported from it.
Examples
She carefully washed the antique china teacup.
The history of china as a material dates back thousands of years.
He has a collection of blue and white china from the Ming dynasty.