bey

[ bey ]

noun

, plural beys.

1. a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire.
2. (formerly) a title of respect for Turkish dignitaries.
3. (formerly) the title of the ruler of Tunis or Tunisia.

bey

/ beɪ /

noun

1. (in the Ottoman Empire) a title given to senior officers, provincial governors, certain other officials or nobles, and (sometimes) Europeans
2. (in modern Turkey) a title of address, corresponding to Mr

Word History and Origins

Origin of bey¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Turkish, by-form of earlier beg, Old Turkic beg “subordinate chief, head of a clan,” perhaps from a Middle Chinese word akin to Chinese bǎi “hundred” (Guangdong diaect baak )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bey¹

C16: Turkish: lord

Example Sentences

This is Bey and Nicki at their most lyrically masochistic, and boy, is it a treat.

From The Daily Beast

Her Highness, Queen Bey, dropped two new songs Friday morning.

From The Daily Beast

Feel free to use this sort-of-sad break up as a practice run for the sure-to-be-devastating demise of Bey and Jay.

From The Daily Beast

Bey's being accused of being a poor role model for young women?

From The Daily Beast

In the wake of ‘elevatorgate,’ rumors have been swirling that Hova may have stepped out on Queen Bey.

From The Daily Beast

Has he not just lent fifteen million francs as a simple loan passing from hand to hand, to the Bey of Tunis?

From Project Gutenberg

You see, old fellow, if the Bey should throw his handkerchief amid that group of loveliness there must be some one to pick it up.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of the Bey, Jansoulet got out, stiff and troubled, and passed without even seeing her.

From Project Gutenberg

To attempt to snatch this prey from the Bey, excepting by a striking triumph at the Assembly, was not to be thought of.

From Project Gutenberg

Look here Bey, I know the ways of you English, and youre sure to have a little dynamite; you always have.

From Project Gutenberg