‖ ameer
(əˈmɪə(r))
Also am{iacu}r.
[a. Arab. (Pers. and Urdu) amīr commander, f. amara to tell, order, command. As a historical Saracen title commonly spelt emir; the spelling am{iacu}r, ameer, is used of modern Indian and Afghan rulers.]
† 1. = emir. Obs.
| 1614 Selden Titles of Hon. 49 In the Mahumedan state, they haue the name of Ameras, Amir, or Amera (applied to their great Sultan) which truly..may expresse Dominus or Lord. 1615 Bedwell Arab. Trudg. s.v. Amir., Foure lieutenants, (Amir's they call them). 1679 Jenison Narr. Pop. Plot 40 The Moorish Amir told the Embassadors, etc. |
2. The title of various Muslim rulers in Scinde and Afghanistan; now specially of the latter.
| 1803 Colebrooke Asiat. Res. vii. 220 It will be sufficient to instance those of..Amīr Khān Anjām. 1870 Knight Crown Hist. Eng. lxv. 898 Scinde..was, in 1842, under the rule of a body of despotic nobles, the Ameers. 1883 Daily News 4 Apr. 2/1 The Ameer of Afghanistan had expressed a wish to visit India. |