Sophy1 Now Hist. or arch.
(ˈsəʊfɪ)
Also 6–7 sophie, 6–9 sophi (7 sofi).
[ad. Pers. {cced}afī (also {cced}afawī), the surname of the ruling dynasty of Persia from c 1500 to 1736, derived from the Arabic epithet {cced}afī-ud-dīn ‘purity of religion’, given to an ancestor of Ismail Safī, the founder of the dynasty. Not related to Sufi1, with which it has freq. been associated.]
1. A former title or designation of the supreme ruler of Persia; the Shah. Also Grand Sophy.
| α 1539 Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) II. 218 His declaracion was..that the Sophy King of Perse had an oratour with the Turke. 1547 Boorde Introd. Knowl. xxxvii. (1870) 214 The great Turke..hath obtayned the Sophyes lond. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. v. 197, I will not giue my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy. 1667 Lond. Gaz. No. 209/2 The Grand Sophy of Persia having observed the Grand Sultan to have his hands fully employed in the Siege of Candia. 1686 tr. Chardin's Coronat. Solyman 49–51, I cannot but laugh when I find in their writings the Grand Sophy, the Sophy of Persia, and the Sovereign Sophy. For the Kings of Persia are neither called Sophies in general, nor in particular. 1707 Curios. in Husb. & Gard. 216 Revenues, which that Commerce brings into the Treasury of the Sophy. 1762–71 Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) II. 113 The Sophy of Persia and his court were extremely surprized at the art of engraving so hard a jewel. 1899 R. Whiteing 5 John St. 299 The great tent..suggests a State pavilion of the Sophy. |
| transf. 1865 Kingsley Herew. ii, Marry the Sophy of Egypt's daughter? |
| β 1549 W. Thomas Hist. Italie 108 b, Vsnucassan kyng of Persia (whose successour is nowe called Sophie). 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 311 Ismael the Sophi and kynge of Persia. 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 24 The Turke against the Sophi, and the King against the Rebels in Flaunders. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 301 At Cormoot we met a Lion and a Spotted Deer carrying up as Presents to the Sophi from the Mogul. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, xi. Wks. 1851 IV. 456 He had discovered a negociation which had been carried on with the sophi of Persia. 1818 Ranken Hist. France V. ii. ii. 285 That ambitious warrior had..defeated the sophi of Persia. 1837 M. Donovan Dom. Econ. II. 13 The sophi of Persia, his lords, and some ambassadors. |
2. With
a and
pl. A Persian monarch or king.
| 1606 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. iv. ii. Magnificence 106 Wert thou a Sophy; yet with Vertue's luster Thou ought'st (at least) thy Greatnesse to illuster. 1636 R. Griffin in Ann. Dubrensia (1877) 53 Grave as a Persian Sophie. 1753 Scots Mag. Jan. 2/1 The last of the ancient race of Sophys who wore the Persian crown. 1761 Ann. Reg. 147 Erivan, the ancient seat of the sophis. 1823 Byron Juan ix. xxxiii, Like Nadir Shah, that costive sophy. |
b. transf. A ruler; a great person.
| 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe (1871) 31 Our redoubtable sophy, of the floating kingdom of Pisces. 1606 Dekker News fr. Hell Wks. (Grosart) II. 95 None but fooles therefore will maruell, how I and this Grand Sophy of the whore of Babylon came to bee so familiar together. |