‖ giaour
(dʒaʊ(r))
Forms: 6–8 gower, 7 gaur(e, gawar, (ghaur), gour(e, 7–8 giaur, jaour, (7 dgiahour, 9 ghiaour, jour, yaoor), 7– giaour.
[Pers. gaur, gōr, pronounced by the Turks (gyaur), var. gebr: see Guebre.]
A term of reproach applied by the Turks to non-Mussulmans, esp. Christians.
| 1564 Jenkinson in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) I. 349 He [the Sophy of Persia] reasoned with mee much of Religion, demaunding whether I were a Gower, that is to say, an vnbeleeuer, or a Muselman, that is of Mahomets lawe. 1609 W. Biddulph in T. Lavender Trav. 85 In words they [Turkes] reuile them as the Egyptians did the Israelites, and call them Gours, that is, Infidels. 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Politiæ 28 Have you never heard them call the Christians, Jaours, that is, Doggs? 1676 tr. Guillatiere's Voy. Athens 329 The Eunuch..set him..to threaten the Christian [Corsaire], incouraging him as soon as they came within distance to call them Giaours. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece ii. 199 He..was reproachfully sent away with the Name of Goure, or Infidel. 1786 tr. Beckford's Vathek (1868) 14 Accursed Giaour! what comest thou hither to do? 1813 Byron Giaour 745 Who falls in battle 'gainst a Giaour Is worthiest an immortal bower. 1881 Harper's Mag. LXIII. 248 An unadulterated Arab place of entertainment, seldom profaned by the presence of giaours. |