Guebre
(ˈgiːbə(r), ˈgeɪbə(r))
Forms: 8 geber, 9 gheber, -ir, -re, gueber, 7– guebre.
[a. F. guèbre, ad. Pers. gabr. Cf. giaour.]
An adherent of the ancient Persian religion; a Zoroastrian, fire-worshipper, Parsee.
| [1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. vi. 302 A certain people called Kebber, that is to say, Infidels, from the Turkish word Kiaphir, which signifies a Renegat.] 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. iii. 57 There are a great many Parses or Guebres there, but they are poor. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) I. iv. lvii. 263 This object of devotion to the Gebers, lies about ten English miles north-east by east from the city of Baku. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales II. 298 And Ghebres too..Best of idolaters, who worship fire. 1871 Tylor Prim. Cult. II., 256 In general, this name of Ghebers is applied to the Zoroastrians or Parsis. 1884 J. Payne Tales fr. Arabic II. 36 note, Nawous, a sort of overground well or turricle of masonry,..on which the Gueber's body is placed for devoration by the birds. |
| attrib. 1817 Moore Lalla R., Fire-Worshippers 191 The Gheber belt that round him clung. |
Hence
† ˈGuebrish a., belonging to the Guebres.
| 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. ii. 110 The Guebrish women have their Faces all naked, and never cover them. |