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quango

[kwang-goh]
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noun, plural quan·gos.
  1. (especially in Great Britain) a semi-public advisory and administrative body supported by the government and having most of its members appointed by the government.
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Origin of quango

1975–80; qu(asi)-a(utonomous) n(on-)g(overnmental) o(rganization) or qu(asi)-a(utonomous) n(ational) g(overnmental) o(rganization)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for quango

Historical Examples

  • From the table-land of Cassanga you may survey nearly the whole of the valley watered by the Quango.

    The Desert World

    Arthur Mangin

  • We were soon on the banks of the Quango, and after some difficulties reached the opposite bank.

  • On the 28th of February they reached the banks of the Quango, where they were again received by Cypriano.

  • We were now on the banks of the Quango, a river one hundred and fifty yards wide, and very deep.

  • As soon as we could move toward the Quango we did so, meeting in our course several trading-parties, both native and Portuguese.

British Dictionary definitions for quango

quango

noun plural -gos
  1. a semipublic government-financed administrative body whose members are appointed by the government
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Word Origin

C20: qu (asi-) a (utonomous) n (on) g (overnmental) o (rganization)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quango

n.

1973, acronym for quasi-non-governmental organization (a descriptive phrase itself attested from 1967). Related: Quangocracy; quangocrat.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper