Pu-tai

noun

ˈpü-ˈtī

: Chinese monk depicted as a fat, jolly man and commonly known as "Laughing Buddha"

Word History

Etymology

Chinese Bùdài, literally, "cloth sack," which the figure conventionally carries

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Pu-tai was in 1899

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pu-tai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pu-tai. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Pu-tai

noun

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