caid

or qa·id

[ kah-eeth, kahyth ]

noun
  1. (in North Africa) a Muslim tribal chief, judge, or senior official.

  2. a Berber chieftain.

  1. an alcaide.

Origin of caid

1
First recorded in 1855–60; from French or directly from Arabic qāʾid; see origin at alcaide

Words Nearby caid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use caid in a sentence

  • It is the residence and office of the sheikh, or chief of the douar: several douars united form a tribe, governed by a caid.

  • He remembered how he and caid used to smuggle a couple of fifths aboard for the moon-run.

    Death of a Spaceman | Walter M. Miller
  • You can't get drunk until they're gone, or you might get them mixed up with memories like caid's.

    Death of a Spaceman | Walter M. Miller
  • We arrived duly at Sleeman, where the caid had everything prepared very comfortably for us.

    Notes in North Africa | W. G. Windham
  • After dinner the caid came and smoked two or three pipes, drank coffee, and wished us adieu in a most gracious manner.

    Notes in North Africa | W. G. Windham