‖ beebee, bibi
(ˈbiːbiː)
[a. Urdū bībī lady, from Pers., orig. Eastern Turki bībī ‘lady, lawful wife.’]
Hindustani name for a lady. (Now superseded in application to European ladies by ‘Mem-sāhib,’ but applied to Englishwomen of lower rank, to a (native) mistress, etc.)
| α 1816 ‘Quiz’ Grand Master xi. 34 Its oppressive beams had made Buff'los and beebees seek the shade. a 1847 Mrs. Sherwood Lady of Manor V. xxix. 96 Being the burree beebee [chief lady] of the night, I moved for an adjournment. |
| β 1842 in Yule & Burnell Hobson-Jobson (1886) s.v. Beebee. 1921 Spectator 14 May 627/2 They get..one or two tomans when the carpet is finished..according to whether the Bibi (the chief's wife) is pleased with the result or not. 1935 Discovery June 164/2 Bibi (mistress of the household). |