begum

¹

[bee-guhm, bey-]

noun

1. (in India) a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially a widow.

begum

²

[bih-guhm]

verb (used with object)

begummed, begumming 

1. to smear, soil, clog, etc., with or as if with gum or a gummy substance.

begum

/ ˈbeɪɡəm /

noun

1. (in Pakistan and certain other Muslim countries) a woman of high rank, esp the widow of a prince

Word History and Origins

Origin of begum¹

1625–35; < Urdu begam ≪ Turkic begim, apparently a derivative of beg. See bey

Origin of begum²

be- + gum ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of begum¹

C18: from Urdu begam , from Turkish begim ; see _bey