sahib
nounattested in dialogue
A term of respect for a white European or other man of rank in colonial India.
noun
- 1
historicalA term of respect for a white European or other man of rank in colonial India.
One day when the Man's Wife and the Tertium Quid had just arrived in the Cemetery, they saw some coolies breaking ground. They had marked out a full-size grave, and the Tertium Quid asked them whether any Sahib was sick. They said that they did not know; but it was an order that they should dig a Sahib's grave.
One must never forget that one is a Sahib, and that some day, when examinations are passed, one will command natives.
After, went to sahib and packed up sahib's things. We had four hire-ponies; three for loads, and one for sahib to ride. Sahib had a Chinese saddle, that he put on a high horse.
Etymology
From Hindustani صاحب / साहिब (sāhib, “lord”), from Classical Persian صاحب (sāhib), from Arabic صَاحِب (ṣāḥib, “companion”).
Forms
- plural
- sahibs
sahib · A term of respect for a white European or other man of rank in colonial India.
sai · A handheld weapon with three prongs, used in some Oriental…said · Mentioned earlier; aforesaid.Said · A male given name from Arabic.