zaibatsu

[ zahy-bah-tsoo ]
/ ˈzaɪ bɑˈtsu /

noun, plural zai·ba·tsu.

a great industrial or financial combination of Japan.

Origin of zaibatsu

1935–40; < Japanese, equivalent to zai wealth (< Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese cái) + batsu, derivative of bat clique (< Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese )

British Dictionary definitions for zaibatsu

zaibatsu
/ (ˈzaɪbætˈsuː) /

noun

(functioning as singular or plural) the group or combine comprising a few wealthy families that controls industry, business, and finance in Japan

Word Origin for zaibatsu

from Japanese, from zai wealth, from Chinese ts'ai + batsu family, person of influence, from Chinese fa