Meaning of the word taipan in English
What does taipan mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
taipan
US /ˈtaɪ.pæn/
UK /ˈtaɪ.pæn/
Noun
1.
a large, highly venomous snake of the cobra family, native to Australia and New Guinea.
Example:
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The inland taipan is considered the most venomous snake in the world.
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A bite from a taipan can be fatal if not treated immediately.
2.
(in historical contexts) a foreign businessman in China, especially a senior one.
Example:
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The British taipan controlled a vast trading empire in 19th-century Canton.
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The novel depicts the life of a powerful taipan in colonial Hong Kong.