emir
(ɛˈmɪə(r), ˈiːmə(r))
Forms: 7 emer, amir, 7–9 emeer, 7– emir.
[a. Arab. amīr, commander. See ameer, admiral.]
1. A Saracen or Arab prince, or governor of a province; a military commander.
| 1632 Lithgow Trav. (1682) pt. v. 195 An Emeer, or hereditary Prince. 1632 ― Totall Discourse 373 Having an Emeere of their owne, being subiect to none, but to his owne passions. 1686 Lond. Gaz. No. 2177/1 An Emir or Prince of the Arabs..has taken the Field with some Troops. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. III. lxiv. 616 The humble title of emir was no longer suitable to the Ottoman greatness. 1852 C. M. Yonge Cameos (1877) I. xxiv. 185 Saladin..sent an emir to the camp with presents. 1848 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 87 The Emeers and Wezeers. |
2. A title of honour borne by the descendants of Mohammed.
| 1625 Purchas Pilgrimes ii. 1295 Mahomet's..kinsmen in greene Shashes, who are called Emers. 1688 Lond. Gaz. No. 2322/3, 56 Emirs..with green Shashes. 1708 Kersey Emir (among the Turks) a Lord, especially any one descended from the false prophet Mahomet. 1721–1800 in Bailey. 1813 Byron Giaour xii, The foremost of the band is seen An Emir by his garb of green. |