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Khan

//kɑːn// name, noun

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A male given name used extensively among Muslims of South Asia.
  2. 2
    A surname derived from the given name.
Noun
  1. 1
    A ruler over various Turkic and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages. historical
  2. 2
    Synonym of caravanserai (particularly in Middle Eastern contexts)

    "‘Guess the name of that,’ she said, pointing to her delicate parts. The porter tried this name and that and ended by asking her to tell him and cease her slapping. ‘The khān of Abu-Mansur,’ she replied."

  3. 3
    an inn in some eastern countries with a large courtyard that provides accommodation for caravans wordnet
  4. 4
    An Ottoman sultan.
  5. 5
    Synonym of fonduk (“inn or hotel in Middle Eastern contexts”).
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    a title given to rulers or other important people in Asian countries wordnet
  2. 7
    A noble or man of rank in various Muslim countries of Central Asia, including Afghanistan.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Via late Middle English can, chan from Old French chan, from Medieval Latin chanis, from Turkic *qan, contraction of *qaɣan. Cognate with Old Turkic 𐰴𐰍𐰣 (qaɣan), and Mongolian хаан (xaan), possibly from Rouran. Sense 1 (ruler in the Middle Ages) after Genghis Khan, from Middle Mongol ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ (qaɣan). Doublet of khagan.

Etymology 2

From Arabic خَان (ḵān, “inn, caravanserai, hotel”) and Persian خان (xân, “inn, caravanserai”).

Etymology 3

As a surname via Urdu خان (xān), Persian خان (xân), among others. As a title, a proper noun form of khan.

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