caid

or qa·id

[ kah-eeth, kahyth ]

noun

1. (in North Africa) a Muslim tribal chief, judge, or senior official.
2. a Berber chieftain.
3. an alcaide.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caid¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from French or directly from Arabic qāʾid; alcaide

Example Sentences

It is the residence and office of the sheikh, or chief of the douar: several douars united form a tribe, governed by a caid.

From Project Gutenberg

He remembered how he and Caid used to smuggle a couple of fifths aboard for the moon-run.

From Project Gutenberg

You can't get drunk until they're gone, or you might get them mixed up with memories like Caid's.

From Project Gutenberg

We arrived duly at Sleeman, where the Caid had everything prepared very comfortably for us.

From Project Gutenberg

After dinner the Caid came and smoked two or three pipes, drank coffee, and wished us adieu in a most gracious manner.

From Project Gutenberg