Pai-Tzu
/ˈpaɪt.suː/noun
A historical Chinese or Mongol authority tablet, pass, or token of official privilege.
Did you know?Pai-tzu is an older Western transliteration of Chinese 牌子, related to the better-known Mongol and Central Asian term paiza, an inscribed credential used by envoys and officials.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
牌子 (páizi)
“A tablet, sign, plaque, or token identifying authority or status”
13th Century
Mongolian/Chinese
paiza / 牌子
“An official tablet or pass granting its bearer privileges and safe conduct”
17th–19th Century
European scholarship
paiza
“A Central Asian or Mongol tablet of authority, often issued to envoys”
19th Century
English transliteration
p'ai-tzu / pai-tzu
“A Western romanization used for the Chinese term and related authority tablet”
Modern English
English
paiza
“The more common modern English form for a historical Mongol or Central Asian pass or badge of authority”
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