Xansi

English

Etymology

A Portuguese-derived romanization of the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation for 山西 (Shānxī).

Proper noun

Xansi

1. (obsolete) Alternative form of Shanxi
   • 1655, F. Alvarez Semedo, “Bellum Tartaricum”, in The History of That Great and Renowned Monarchy of China‎^[1], E. Tyler, →OCLC, page 293:

     This Prince paſſed by the impregnable City of Taitung; which as it is the laſt City towards the North, ſo alſo it is the Key and Bulwark of the Province of Xanſi againſt the irruption of the Weſtern Tartars; for it commands all the Souldiers which keep the many Fortifications of thoſe Quarters, where a fair Level down extending itſelf beyond that famous Wall, I mentioned heretofore, gives a fit occaſion for the incurſion of the Tartars.

   • 1669, John Nievhoff, translated by John Ogilby, An Embassy from the Eaſt-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperour of China‎^[2], London: John Macock, →OCLC, page 105:

     The Yellow River which runs through Xanſi, parts this Kingdom toward the South, from that of Honan, and toward the South-Eaſt of the River Guei, unites this with the Province of Xantung.

   • 1693, Robert Morden, “Of China”, in Geography Rectified; or a Description of the World‎^[3], 3rd edition, →OCLC, page 439:

     Weft ward beyond the Province of Peking lies Xanſi on the North whereof lies the great Wall, and behind that the Tartar Kingdom of Tangu and the Deſert Xamo. This Province is divided into five Counties, having eighty ſix Cities, and tho not very big, yet is pleaſant. The City Taiyuen is the Metropolis, which for its Antiquity of Building, ſtately and brave Edifices, is accounted amongſt the beſt Cities of China : At the City Pingiany the Emperor Jau kept his Court within the Walls ; and Without the Gates of Fuencheu ſtands two ſtately, ancient, and magnificent Buildings.

Translations

Shanxi — see Shanxi

Anagrams

• Xians, xians