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noun

desai

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Desai (noun) means Historically in western and southern India, a local official or hereditary chief in charge of a district. Example: “The desai collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler.”

noun
1
Historically in western and southern India, a local official or hereditary chief in charge of a district.
"The desai collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler."
name
1
A common surname of Gujarati origin, still widespread among families from Gujarat and Maharashtra.
"Her professor, Dr. Desai, specialized in economics."

How to use desai

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA historical title for a local Indian official, and today a common surname.

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Word forms

Plural
desais
Test yourself on “desai” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler.

Etymology

From Marathi/Gujarati desai, meaning "leader of a village or district."

Rhymes for desai

See all rhymes for desai →

Frequently asked questions

What does “desai” mean?
The word “desai” means historically in western and southern India, a local official or hereditary chief in charge of a district. In plain terms, a historical title for a local Indian official, and today a common surname.
How do you use “desai” in a sentence?
Here is “desai” used in a sentence: “The desai collected taxes on behalf of the regional ruler.”
What part of speech is “desai”?
Depending on how it is used, “desai” can be a noun and a name.
How many meanings does “desai” have?
“Desai” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically in western and southern India, a local official or hereditary chief in charge of a district.

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