Obs. [a. F. chinois.] = CHINESE.
1613. Purchas, Pilgr., I. V. xvii. 460. The Chinois sometimes Lords of Zeilan.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., I. ii. (1636), 69. By St. Thomas the Chinoises, and Ethiopians were converted.
1667. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 19. As an Indian or Chinois would perchance do.
a. 1682. Sir T. Browne, Tracts (1684), 132. The Chinoys, who live at the bounds of the Earth.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., I. 34. Some Runaway Chinois.
Hence ǁ Chinoiserie [mod.F.], Chinese conduct, a Chinese art, ‘notion,’ etc.
1883. W. H. Bishop, in Harper’s Mag., July, 830/2. The whole was a bit of bright Chinoiserie worth in itself a long journey to witness.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 28 Aug., 3/1. One of those Chinoiseries that would seem to show that M. Ferry has not much to learn from the able and astute Celestials with whom he has now to deal.
1885. Miss Braddon, Wyllard’s Weird, II. iv. 116. Japanese tea-trays, chinoiseries, unbreakable glass.
