Chinee

/tʃɪˈni/ noun

Definition

An archaic or obsolete spelling or term, possibly referring to a person from China or a variant of 'Chinee' as an old English term.

Etymology

Possibly an old English variant of 'Chinese' or 'Chinee,' dating to periods when English spelling was less standardized; from 'China' plus English nominal suffix.

Kelly Says

Old English had many variant spellings for 'Chinese' (Chinee, Chineese, Chinese)—watching these variations settle shows how standardization gradually took over!

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