trad. Manchu title conferred on performer of great deeds (Manchu baturu; Mongolian baghatur 'hero, knight'; 8th c. Turkic bagatur 'hero, warrior'; it has been suggested that the Turkic word may ultimately be derived from a Western Han period Sinitic transcription of the name of the Xiongnu/Hun ruler which is usually rendered in Modern Standard Mandarin transcription as Màodùn but which, according to an early commentary on the Hànshū, should actually be Mòdú; cf. Persian bahādur 'brave, bold; hero' and Bactrian 702 A.D. Magatur, which is possibly a transliteration of the Turkic version of this apparently old Xiongnu name)