mandarin duck n. A showy crested Asiatic duck (Aix galericulata, formerly Dendronessa galericulata), often domesticated, and regarded by the Chinese as an emblem of conjugal affection.
... presumptuous as to inform this ornamental and well-informed gathering, was the most ingenious and versatile-minded composer of written words that this Empire—and therefore the entire world—has seen, as, indeed, his honourable title of 'The Many-hued Mandarin Duck of the Yang-tse' ... — The Wallet of Kai Lung • Ernest Bramah
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