noun
sahib
noun
1
A historical term of respect used in colonial India for a European man of rank or authority.
"In the novel, the servants addressed their employer only as "sahib.""
How to Use Sahib
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respectful colonial-era title for a European gentleman in India.
When to use it
Historical term tied to the British colonial period; rarely used in modern everyday speech outside of historical or literary contexts.
Word Forms
sahibs plural
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In the novel, the servants addressed their employer only as "_____."
Etymology
From Hindustani/Persian sahib ("lord, master"), ultimately from Arabic sahib ("companion").