dragoman
[drag-uh-muh n]
- (in the Near East) a professional interpreter.
Show More
Origin of dragoman
1300–50; < French; replacing Middle English drogman interpreter < Middle French drog(o)man, dragoman < Medieval Greek drago(u)mános < Semitic; compare Arabic tarjumān, Akkadian targumannu
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
linguist, adapter, polyglot, cryptologist, decoder, dragoman, cryptographer, explainer, glossatorExamples from the Web for dragoman
Historical Examples
The only objection is, he's not as good-looking as Monny and I wanted our dragoman to be.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
Then the lady say very quick she will take me for her dragoman.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
There had been some dispute about payment, and the Britisher had slapped the dragoman's face.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
Afterward I learned that he was our dragoman's father; but I was loyal and did not tell.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
Three men had come to-day, one who might be a dragoman, and two Europeans.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
dragoman
- (in some Middle Eastern countries, esp formerly) a professional interpreter or guide
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from French, from Italian dragomano, from Medieval Greek dragoumanos, from Arabic targumān an interpreter, from Aramaic tūrgemānā, of Akkadian origin
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 dragoman
n.
early 14c., from Old French drugemen, from late Greek dragoumanos, from Arabic targuman "interpreter," from targama "interpret." Treated in English as a compound, with plural -men.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper