A popular Chinese dictionary has left out the ` ` gay '' definition of a word used to describe homosexuals . The word ` ` tongzhi '' traditionally means comrade but has evolved to refer to gay ##s and lesbians . The committee charged with revising and updating the dictionary said they chose to leave out the definition because they did n't want to encourage its use , the director of the committee Jiang Langsheng told Chengdu Business Daily . Compilers of the dictionary said they did n't want to change that use of the word . Journalists and linguists are angered at the omission because it 's not right to leave out a widely - used word .
A popular Chinese dictionary has left out the ` ` gay '' definition of a word used to describe homosexuals . The word ` ` tongzhi '' traditionally means comrade but has evolved to refer to gay ##s and lesbians . Compilers of the dictionary said they did n't want to change that use of the word . Journalists and linguists are angered at the omission because it 's not right to leave out a widely - used word .