hsien
Americannoun
plural
hsien-
(in popular Chinese religion) one of a group of benevolent spirits promoting good in the world.
-
(in China) a county or district.
Etymology
Origin of hsien
First recorded in 1965–70; from Chinese (Wade-Giles) hsien1, (Pinyin) xiān “hermit, wizard”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chen Li-fu traveled with speed and silence over south and central China, met with secret party leaders and hsien magistrates, testing the loyal, liquidating the disloyal.
From Time Magazine Archive
The hsien, or district, was one of the most important social institutions in old China.
From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
Author of Shên hsien chuan; inventor of P’an Ku legend, 79, 80 Ko-ai.
From Myths and Legends of China by Werner, E. T. C. (Edward Theodore Chalmers)
As soon as all the hsien within a province are self-governing, the provincial government shall be released to democratic control.
From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
The question of the hsien is given eight paragraphs to the one on min shêng.
From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
