三槐九棘 sānhuáijiǔjí top government officials Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 三槐 sānhuái three top officials the three highest cabinet positions in ancient Chinese government, or the dignitaries occupying those posts九 jiǔ numeral nine the number nine棘 jí noun thorns (bound form) thorns; any thorny or prickly plant; bushes with thorns