bey
[bey]
- 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.
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for bey
Contemporary Examples
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 MoreMarlow Stern
December 31, 2014
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.
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
In the wake of ‘elevatorgate,’ rumors have been swirling that Hova may have stepped out on Queen Bey.
Another violent clip starring Bey and Jay was just released.
Jay Z and Beyonce Release Epic, Violent New Short Film For 'On the Run' TourKevin Fallon
May 18, 2014
Historical Examples
Yes, the great lady had come hither with her husband the Bey.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
The horse was killed; the man is now a bey in the Pasha's service.
In Morocco I abducted the most beautiful damsel of the Bey from his harem.
A Hungarian NabobMaurus Jkai
Somebody had persuaded him to believe that I was urging the Bey to close the principality to him.
The NabobAlphonse Daudet
The Bey still keeps on good terms with me; but my credit is shaken.
The NabobAlphonse Daudet
bey
- (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
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Also called: beg
Word Origin
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
n.
"governor of a Turkish district," 1590s, from Turkish bey, a title of honor, the Osmanli equivalent of Turkish beg.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper