bey

[bey]

noun, plural beys.

a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire.

(formerly) a title of respect for Turkish dignitaries.

(formerly) the title of the native ruler of Tunis or Tunisia.

Origin of bey

1590–1600; < Turkish, by-form of earlier beg, Old Turkic beg subordinate chief, head of a clan, perhaps < a MChin word akin to Chinese bǎi hundred (Guangdong dial. baak)

Turkish beg.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bey

This is Bey and Nicki at their most lyrically masochistic, and boy, is it a treat.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More|Marlow Stern|December 31, 2014|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.
Nick Cannon’s Not a Gigolo, But He Had Sex with Kim Kardashian|Amy Zimmerman|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bey's being accused of being a poor role model for young women?
Elevator Music Beyoncé Doesn’t Want to Hear: Jay Z’s ‘Mistress’ Drops ‘Sorry Mrs. Carter’|Amy Zimmerman|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the wake of ‘elevatorgate,’ rumors have been swirling that Hova may have stepped out on Queen Bey.
Did Beyoncé Just Accuse Jay Z of Cheating?|Marlow Stern|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Another violent clip starring Bey and Jay was just released.
Jay Z and Beyonce Release Epic, Violent New Short Film For 'On the Run' Tour|Kevin Fallon|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Above was an open corridor, on which the apartments of the Bey opened.
Servia, Youngest Member of the European Family|Andrew Archibald Paton
When the fatal date arrived, the Bey summoned the leader of the orchestra before him.
In the Land of Mosques & Minarets|Francis Miltoun
When the Valiant paid her second visit to Rabat, the Bey was inclined to be communicative.
The Message|Louis Tracy
All went as we could have wished it, till one day I took the Bey across to go over the works.
A Tatter of Scarlet|S. R. Crockett
The captains of these adventurers, supported by their crews, raised an agitation against the Bey for his weakness.
A Short History of the Royal Navy 1217 to 1688|David Hannay

British Dictionary definitions for bey

bey

noun

(in the Ottoman Empire) a title given to senior officers, provincial governors, certain other officials or nobles, and (sometimes) Europeans

(in modern Turkey) a title of address, corresponding to Mr

Also called: beg

Word Origin for bey

C16: Turkish: lord

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bey

bey

"governor of a Turkish district," 1590s, from Turkish bey, a title of honor, the Osmanli equivalent of Turkish beg.

bey