ancient ceremonial headgear; dignified; high-sounding
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
ceremonial crown or headdress (for emperors, officials)
formalA formal term for official headwear in ancient China. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
The museum displays the ceremonial crowns of ancient emperors.
This official's headdress was very ornate.
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During the coronation ceremony, he put on the crown symbolizing power.
adjective
dignified; high-sounding; superficially impressive
Often used in the idiom 冠冕堂皇 (guān miǎn táng huáng), implying something is superficially grand or righteous but lacks substance. Can also stand alone to mean 'respectable' or 'dignified' in appearance.
What's the use of all this high-sounding talk?
He found a seemingly righteous excuse to shirk responsibility.
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This company appears dignified on the surface, but its internal management is a mess.
His speech was full of high-sounding words but proposed no concrete plan.