rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytongFraternal association
noun

tong

TAHNG/tɑŋ/

A Chinese American fraternal association, often secret.

The tong holds a meeting in its association hall.

Behind closed doors in a Chinese-American association hall, members gather in a solemn circle and admit a new member with a private handshake.
Etymology
tongCantoneseassembly hall

Cantonese t'ong means “assembly hall.” In English, the name of a gathering place came to designate a Chinese secret society or association.

In context

Scott D. Seligman2:51
the two tongs fighting each other. Initially it was all about control of gambling and vice in the Chinese quarter.
"Book Talk" Scott Seligman Author "Tong Wars Story of Vice, Money & Murder in New York's Chinatown "
Laszlo Montgomery21:16
A tong is just a name for some organization, you know, like a chamber or society.
The Tong Wars of New York's Chinatown (Part 1) | The China History Podcast | Ep. 171

More examples

  • Several tongs served local communities.
  • The historian studied the tong's records.
  • He researched the development of a neighborhood tong.

Forms

tong · tongs

Similar words

association
A general organized group without this cultural specificity.
fraternity
A brotherhood, often with different institutional traditions.