Cathay

Cathay is the name by which the Chinese empire was commonly known in Europe during medieval times—in connection with Marco Polo's travels, for example; and Kitai is still the Russian name for China. Cathay, originally Khitai, is derived from the Khitan, the earliest of the northern races known to have conquered China (possibly akin to the Tunguses), who disappeared about the beginning of the 12th century. See CHINA; and Yule, Cathay and the Road Thither (Hakluyt Society, 1866).