effendi

[ ih-fen-dee ]

/ ɪˈfɛn di /

noun, plural ef·fen·dis.

a former Turkish title of respect, especially for government officials.

(in eastern Mediterranean countries) a man who is a member of the aristocracy.

Nearby words

effectuate, effeminacy, effeminate, effemination, effeminize, effendi, efferent, efferent duct, efferent glomerular arteriole, efferent nerve, efferent vessel

Origin of effendi

1605–15; < Turkish efendi < Modern Greek, Greek authentḗs doer, master. See authentic

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

Examples from the Web for effendi

She had seen him twice, some months before through the dutap, when he had conversed with the Effendi in the adjoining room.
The Secret Witness|George Gibbs
“There is time for neither, effendi,” said Yussuf, taking out his revolver.
Yussuf the Guide|George Manville Fenn
No, effendi,” he exclaimed sharply; “not that way, but this.
Yussuf the Guide|George Manville Fenn
"It was an amusing tale I heard at Assiout, effendi," was Higli's abashed and surly reply.
The Weavers, Complete|Gilbert Parker

Effendi, ef-fen′di, n. a Turkish title for civil officials and educated persons generally.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for effendi

effendi

/ (ɛˈfɛndɪ) /

noun plural -dis

(in the Ottoman Empire) a title of respect used to address men of learning or social standing

(in Turkey since 1934) the oral title of address equivalent to Mr

Word Origin for effendi

C17: from Turkish efendi master, from Modern Greek aphentēs, from Greek authentēs lord, doer; see authentic

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 effendi

effendi

Turkish title of respect, 1610s, from Turkish efendi, title of respect applied to professionals and officials, corruption of Greek authentes "lord, master" (in Modern Greek aphente; see authentic).