mikado

[ mi-kah-doh ]

noun

, plural mi·ka·dos.

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a title of the emperor of Japan.
2. (initial capital letter, italics) an operetta (1885) by Sir William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan.
3. (initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

mikado

/ mɪˈkɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. archaic.
   often capital the Japanese emperor Compare tenno

Word History and Origins

Origin of mikado¹

1720–30; < Japanese, equivalent to mi- exalted + kado gate, door (of the imperial palace)

Word History and Origins

Origin of mikado¹

C18: from Japanese, from mi- honourable + kado gate

Example Sentences

In the race she has to run, moreover, the Mikado-land has no such advantages as many of our people have been led to believe.

From Project Gutenberg

On the whole, the Mikado's subjects seem already to count themselves virtual masters of the country.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of her cruise the war was over, and she was sold to the Mikado of Japan, whose flag she now carries.

From Project Gutenberg

He was treated by the army surgeons, and sent home to Japan to get well, and then he was decorated for his bravery by the Mikado.

From Project Gutenberg

Formerly this body of belief was the national faith, the Mikado, the direct descendant of the early gods, being its head on earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
• shah
• sultan