sahib

noun

sa·​hib ˈsä-ˌ(h)ib How to pronounce sahib (audio)
-ˌ(h)ēb,
ˌsä-ˈ(h)ib,
-ˈ(h)ēb
: sir, master
—used especially among the native inhabitants of colonial India when addressing or speaking of a European of some social or official status

Word History

Etymology

Hindi sāhab & Urdu ṣāḥib, ṣāḥab companion, master, from Arabic ṣāḥib

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sahib was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near sahib

Sahel

sahib

sahibah

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sahib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sahib. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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