taotai

CIDE DICTIONARY

taotai, 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.]