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

Example Sentences

As heirs to political dynasties, both women have dominated Bangladesh politics for more than three decades and used to be known as the "battling begums".

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Amid all the fear, the battling begums continue to trade insults.

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In Bangladesh the two battling begums have ensured that no other politician gets a look-in.

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I do not have high hopes that the hot war between the two begums can be successfully mediated.

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Bangladesh suffers a dysfunctional two-party system in which the two leaders, the “battling begums”, wage mutual vendettas at the country’s expense.

Read more on Economist