Chinish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having some qualities or characteristics associated with China or the Chinese people, though not fully so
2. Somewhat like Chinese in appearance, manner, or style, without being wholly characteristic of it
3. Showing a vague resemblance to China or its people, culture, or customs in a loose or partial way

Etymology: The word "chinish" is simply China with the suffix "-ish," meaning "somewhat like" or "having the character of," so it describes something resembling China or its people and customs. It was once a common way of referring to things from China, but it has since been pushed aside by "Chinese," which became the standard adjective and noun. The contrast with "Chinese" is what makes the word worth a look. Both forms grow from the same place name, yet English settled on a different ending for the adjective that describes the country's people and language. The older "-ish" pattern was a loose, flexible way of saying "belonging to" or "resembling," the same ending found in words like "Scottish" and "Danish," which still survive because they became the accepted forms.