Portuguese

Noun

Amban m (plural Ambans)

1. (historical) amban (provincial governor in a semi-independent territory under Chinese rule)

English

Noun

amban ‎(plural ambans or ambasa)

1. (now historical) A Chinese official under the Qing Dynasty, especially the ranking official or provincial governor in a semi-independent territory under Chinese rule.
   • 1869, George W. Hayward, ‘Journey from Leh to Yarkand and Kashgar’, Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol. XL:

     Regarding the scene before him with the calmness of a stoic, sits the grey-bearded old Ambân in his chair of state, quietly smoking a long pipe, while beside him kneel his weeping daughters, all conscious of their coming fate.

   • 1924, Charles Bell, Tibet Past and Present, Delhi 2000, p. 46:

     In 1846 Messrs. Huc and Gabet, two French Lazarist Fathers, visited Lhasa from the north, and stayed two and a half months, when they were expelled through the influence of the Chinese Amban.

   • 1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society 2010, p. 388:

     Although he was received there by a guard of honour of sorts, Elias found the amban, or senior Chinese official, openly hostile.

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