Dictionary

dao en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Etymology

From Chinese 刀 (dāo, literally “single-edged blade”). Possibly a doublet of dah.

Meanings

1. Any of various traditional Chinese swords with a curved, single-edged blade, primarily used for slashing and chopping.

Forms

dao en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Etymology

From the pinyin romanization of Chinese 道 (Dào, literally “the Way”) or (dào, "circuit").

Meanings

1. (historical, uncountable, usually) Synonym of circuit: various administrative divisions of imperial and early Republican China.

Forms

Synonyms

circuit

dao en · PROPN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Etymology

From the pinyin romanization of Chinese 道 (Dào, literally “the Way”) or (dào, "circuit").

Meanings

1. (Chinese, alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of Tao: the way of nature and/or the ideal way to live one's life.
   alt of Tao

dao en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of dah (“Burmese knife or sword”).
   alt of dah

Forms

dao en · NOUN · etymology 4

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Etymology

Likely related to one of the preceding words ("Chinese sword", "Burmese knife") or from Indo-Aryan. Compare Bengali দাও (daō).

Meanings

1. A sword and construction tool of the Naga people of India, which has a wooden hilt and grows wider from the narrow hilt to the wide, flat tip.

Forms

dao en · NOUN · etymology 5

Pronunciation

• /daʊ/

Etymology

From Tagalog or Cebuano dao.

Meanings

1. Dracontomelon dao; a large tree of the family Anacardiaceae; the argus pheasant tree.
2. The hard strong wood of the dao used for veneers and cabinetwork.

Forms