Ancient China Vocabulary Definitions

 

Loess- A dusty, fine, yellow soil that is easily carried by wind and rain, which is found in China.

                                                                   

Dike- an artificial watercourse usually used for irrigation and to prevent floods.

 

Philosophy- love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

 

 

Civil Service- 1. Those branches of public service that are not legislative, judicial, or military and in which employment is usually based on competitive examination. 2. The entire body of persons employed by the civil branches of a government.

 

Warlord- A military commander exercising civil power in a region, whether in nominal allegiance to the national government or in defiance of it.

Silk- a fine continuous protein fiber produced by various insect larvae usually for cocoons, especially the strong, elastic, fibrous secretion of silkworms used to make thread and fabric.

 

Levee- A wall built along a river bank to prevent flooding.

 

 

 

Steppe- A dry, grassy, treeless plain found in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Dynasty- A succession of rulers from the same family or line that maintains power for some time.

Nobles- A member of a ruling family or one of high rank.

Emperor- The supreme ruler of an empire.

 

Province- A division of land within an empire or country.