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taipan

noun (1)
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tai·​pan | \ ˈtī-ˌpan How to pronounce taipan (audio) , ˈtī-ˈpän How to pronounce taipan (audio) \

Definition of taipan

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a powerful businessman and especially formerly a foreigner living and operating in Hong Kong or China

taipan

noun (2)
tai·​pan | \ ˈtī-ˌpan How to pronounce taipan (audio) \

Definition of taipan (Entry 2 of 2)

: an exceedingly venomous elapid snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus) of northern Australia and New Guinea also : a related snake (O. microlepidotus)

First Known Use of taipan

Noun (1)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1933, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for taipan

Noun (1)

Chinese (Guangdong) daaih-bāan, from daaih big + bāan class

Noun (2)

Wik Munkan (Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland) dhayban

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Cite this Entry

“Taipan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taipan. Accessed 25 Jul. 2021.

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