effendi

[ ih-fen-dee ]

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.

Origin of effendi

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

Words Nearby effendi

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use effendi in a sentence

Nursyirwan effendi is not wealthy—not in terms of money, that is.
Islam’s Secret Feminists | Danielle Shapiro | September 4, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
His lordship insisted that the reis effendi should be dismissed from his office.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The Rabbi effendi had approached the river from a different direction, and that some years before.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
His Majesty is deeply grieved to hear of the Khanum effendi's illness.
Paul Patoff | F. Marion Crawford
An effendi took the watch yesterday to show it to Vartan, the jeweler.
Paul Patoff | F. Marion Crawford

I will not tell you his name, nor the name of the effendi to whose harem he belongs.
Paul Patoff | F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for effendi

effendi

/ (ɛˈfɛndɪ) /

nounplural -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

Origin of 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

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