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Nabob
//ˈneɪbɑb// noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An Indian ruler within the Mogul empire. historical
"They have drained the treasuries of Nabobs, who must fill them by oppressing the industry of their subjects."
- 2 a wealthy man (especially one who made his fortune in the Orient) wordnet
- 3 Someone of great wealth or importance. broadly
"Mr. Glentworth had never quitted Europe, and his wealth was either good English landed property, or equally undeniable English consols; still he was a stranger, very rich, and suddenly come from abroad. Such a man was necessarily a nabob in Mr. Palmer's eyes. India had been the place for making large fortunes in his young days."
- 4 a governor in India during the Mogul empire wordnet
- 5 A person with a grandiose style or manner. broadly
Etymology
In colloquial usage in English since 1612, from a corruption of Hindustani नवाब (navāb) / نواب (navāb, “nawab”), perhaps via Portuguese nababo, from Classical Persian نَوَّاب (nawwāb), from Arabic نُوَّاب (nuwwāb), the honorific plural of نَائِب (nāʔib, “deputy”).
See also for "nabob"
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