Amyot, Joseph

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Joseph Amyot (zhôzĕf´ ämyō´), 1718–1794?, French Roman Catholic missionary in China, a Jesuit. He wrote a long treatise on the history, sciences, and customs of the Chinese (15 vol., 1776–89). He was one of the first Europeans to make Chinese literature, antiquities, and customs known to Europe. He was also an early authority on the Manchu language.