Taotai \Tao`tai"\, 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.]