'Taotai' definitions:

Definition of 'Taotai'

From: GCIDE
  • Taotai \Tao`tai"\, n. [Chin. tao circuit + t'ai, a title of respect.] In China, an official at the head of the civil and military affairs of a circuit, which consists of two or more fu, or territorial departments; -- called also, by foreigners, intendant of circuit. Foreign consuls and commissioners associated with taotais as superintendants of trade at the treaty ports are ranked with the taotai. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]